Tuesday, 11 October 2016

CODE SWITCHING


Code switching is the mixing of words, phrases, and sentences from two distinct grammatical (sub) systems across sentence boundaries within the same speech event. Code switching is not a display of deficient language knowledge a grammar mixing of two languages. The phenomenon of code switching is examined from a conversational analysis perspective and as such is viewed as interactive exchanges between members of a bilingual speech community.
When communicating with people who know the same languages, bilinguals have to make a choice of which language to use.  It is natural sometimes that they may use two or more languages at the same time to communicate.  Code-switching refers to the situation where people switch between different languages within the same communication activity.[1]
Bilinguals often switch between their two languages in the middle of a conversation. These code-switches can take place between or even within sentences, involving phrases or words or even parts of words. The switching of words is the beginning of borrowing, which occurs when the new word becomes more or less integrated in the second language. One bilingual individual using a word from language A and language B is a case of switching, but when many people do, even speakers of B who don’t know A are likely to pick it up. At this page, especially if the pronunciation and morphology have been adapted, we can say the word has been borrowed.[2]
There are various kinds of code switching. Immigrants often use many words from their new language in their old language, because many of the people, they speak to know both languages. In situation like this, bilinguals often develop a mixed code.
1.        Code switching has several functions.

a.       Code-switching is used to mark switching from informal situations (using native languages) to formal situations (using second language).
b.      Code-switching is used to exert control, especially between parents and children.
c.       Code-switching is used to align speakers with others in specific situations (e.g., defining oneself as a member of an ethnic group).
d.      Code-switching also 'functions to announce specific identities, create certain meanings, and facilitate particular interpersonal relationships.

2.        Reasons for Code switching:

The reasons why people switch codes is speakers may switch from one code to another either to show solidarity with a social group, to distinguish oneself, to participate in social encounters, to express feelings and affections, or to impress and persuade the audience.
Below are some other reasons of doing code switching in communication:

1.      To show solidarity

Janet Holmes mentions in her book Introduction to Sociolinguistics that, 'a speaker may switch to another language as a signal of group membership and shared ethnicity within an addressee' (Holmes, 2000). Code switching can be used to express solidarity between people from different or the same ethnic groups. For example:
“Batakness speakers switch to English to address one another when an English speaker joins them even though the English speaker is not being spoken to directly. They could continue in Batakness but in order to include the English speaker in the group, they switch codes.”

2.      To reflect social status

Sometimes, speakers tend to use different languages to imply a certain social status or to distinguish themselves from other social classes. 'Other reasons that have been found to motivate CS are to sound elitist or classy' (Shabt, 2007). Professor Peter Auer says in his book Code Switching in Conversation: Language, Interaction and Identity that ' Code-switching carries a hidden prestige which is made explicit by attitudes' (Auer, 2002). Also, Dr Hayat Al Khatib says in a research she conducted that speakers may use code-switching 'to show power over the less powerful' (Al-Khatib, 2003) Thus, I can now connect switching codes as a way to reflect one's social class. A speaker who cans code-switch implies that he is a well educated person who is competent in two languages or even more. Thus, code-switching can be looked upon as a way to distinguish oneself. Yasir Suleiman says that, 'the phenomenon of code switching is very common and is looked upon as something prestigious and a sign of education and competence in more than one language.

3.      Code-switching can reflect associations of certain topics with a language.

The example below will show how the use of code-switching to reflect associations of certain topics with a language.
“Batakness speakers participating in a discussion in an English language class in English change to Batakness to talk about their plans for the weekend. They could talk about their plans in English but they are more comfortable doing this in Batakness.”

4.      Affection

Code-switching can be used by speakers to express certain feelings and attitudes. Speakers may switch codes to express happiness, anger, sadness, and many other feelings. So, a person may code switch because they are angry. For example:
“A teacher uses English in class.  She changes to Batakness to tell off a student when she is angry because the student has consistently not done her homework.”
The student would understand the English but the telling off is more effective in their shared first language.  The teacher’s anger is more apparent.

5.      Example Of Code Switching In Song

            A.     Indonesian Song


I will always love you kekasihku
Dalam hidupku hanya dirimu satu
I will always need you cintaku
Selamanya takkan pernah terganti

Ku mau menjadi yang terakhir untukmu
Ku mau menjadi mimpi indahmu

Cintai aku dengan hatimu
Seperti aku mencintaimu
Sayangi aku dengan kasihmu
Seperti aku menyayangimu

I will be the last for you
And you will be the last for me
I will always love you kekasihku
Dalam hidupku hanya dirimu satu

Ku mau menjadi yang terakhir untukmu
Ku mau menjadi mimpi indahmu
Cintai aku dengan hatimu
Seperti aku mencintaimu
Sayangi aku dengan kasihmu
Seperti aku menyayangimu

I will be the last for you
And you will be the last for me
And i will be the last for you
And you will be the last for me


         B.     Korean Songs


In your eyes In your mind sarangi geuryeojyeo
In your eyes In your mind
uri meolli isseodo garyeojin dedo love is you love is you
baramgyeole nalliun geuriumi maeumeul jeonhaejugil

---Reff---
Love is the moment niga odeon geunal soongan
Love is the moment
du noone maethyeo gaseume maethyeo jaggu ddeoolla

Love is the moment niga odeon geunal soongan
Love is the moment
ijeul su eobseo jaggu ddeoolla

Close your eyes Close your ears sarangi neuggyeojyeo
Close your eyes Close your ears
neoreul jabji mothaedo anji mothaedo love is you

love is you
haessal soke garyeojin geuriumi nae maeumeul jeonhaejugil

Love is the moment neoreul bonaen geunal geu soongan
Love is the moment
shimjangi meomchweo shigani meomchweo jagguman apa
Love is the moment neoreul ddeonal geu soongan
Love is the moment
sarangdo ddeona jagguman apa
In your eyes In your mind sarangi
In your eyes In your mind






[1] http://engres.ied.edu.hk/sociolinguistics/eLectures/topic-3.html 13-05-2016, 15:30
[2] Bernard Spolsky. Sociolinguistics. 1998. (New York:Oxford University Press). Page:49

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