bilingualism, code switching, and code mixing
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Bilingualism, Code Switching & Code Mixing
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Outline Bilingualism
Code-Switching
Code-mixing
Borrowings
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Introduction
In many speech communities, one can see two, or more, independent languages living side by side.
In these communities people use more than 1 language (2 or +): one at home, another at work, and a third with friends or the outside world.
All these languages are learned naturally, and the shift from the one to the other is made without hesitation.
Multilingualism of the Indian tribes living in the north-west Amazon (between Columbia
and Brazil)
21 languages
+ Tukano (trade
language )
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Similar cases can be observed all over the world, from Singapore to Paraguay.
People in these communities have access to a number of languages—called codes—which they may choose from in speaking to others.
What determines the choice of a specific language?Each of the available languages in a multilingual
situation has a certain function to perform, which is different from those of the others.
•The people you are speaking to,•The social context•The situation
Paraguay50% of the population is bilingual:
Spanish and Guarani Guarani is the mother tongue of 90% of the
populationIt is the national language
Spanish is the official language of the government—used in gvt business, and
schoolsUsed in formal occasions and conversations
with foreigners
They choose to speak Sp or Guarani depending on
Location (city or countryside)Formality,
Sex of the speakerHis/her social status
Intimacy of both sidesType of activity,
Topic of the speech event.
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Bilingualism is the prime example of language contact.
This contact can lead to interference
There can be
interference in all
aspects of a
language,
This phenomenon has
led to the study of
code-switching
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Compound vs. Coordinate Bilingualism Compound Coordinate
Has one semantic system but two linguistic codes.
Usually refers to someone whose two languages are learned at the same time, often in the same context.
Has two semantic systems AND two linguistic codes.
Usually refers to someone whose two languages are learnt in distinctively separate contexts.
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Compound Coordinate
English Spanish
Semantic System
Semantic System
1
Semantic
System 2
English SpanishDr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Code-Switching Code-switching is a term in linguistics referring to
using more than one language or variety in conversation.
Bilinguals who can speak at least two languages, have the ability to use elements of both languages when conversing with another bilingual.
Code-switching is the syntactically and phonologically appropriate use of multiple varieties.
Weinreich (1953) describes bilingualism as
the practice of alternately using
two languages
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
(1) Gofte bud ke she wanted to get revenge. ‘She had said that she wanted to get revenge.’ (Mahootian, 1993)
(2) Ta carr light green aige be car at him: ‘He has a light green car.’ (Stenson, 1990)
(3) One algebra question o mark shite: ‘you mark one algebra question’ (Nishimura, 1991)
(4) Un professeur aDim: a professor excellent (‘an excellent professor’) (Bentahila and Davies, 1983)
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Types of Code Switching
INTER-SENTENTIAL
INTRA-SENTENTIAL
TAG-SWITCHING
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Examples (5) Sometimes I’ll start a sentence in English
y termino en espanol: ‘Sometimes I’ll start a sentence in English and finish it in Spanish.’ (Poplack, 1980)
(6) I’m shuxi-ing with you. ‘I’m joking with you.’ (Mahootian, 1993)
(7) Your bag is zir-e miz under of table: ‘Your bag is under the table.’
(8) It was a good performance, nae? ‘It was a good performance, wasn’t it?’
INTER-SENTENTIAL
INTRA-SENTENTIAL INTRA-SENTENTIAL
TAG-SWITCHING
Why do people code-switch? The topic, the solidarity with the listener, the social setting, all these have been suggested as factors
that motivate people in code-switch. The motivation may not be conscious.
In some extreme cases, people may not even be aware they have code-switched.
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Although switching has at times been associated with language attrition, indicative of weakness in one of the bilingual’s languages, many researchers believe that code switching is in fact a natural consequence of competence in more than one language and that it should not be mistaken for a language deficit.
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Kinds of Code-Switching SITUATIONAL METAPHORICAL
occurs when the speaker changes the language because of the change in the situation.
One language is used in one situation (for example during a breakfast with the family members) the other in a different one (e.g. in government offices)
occurs when a change of the topic of the discourse requires a change in the language used.
Thus, a language used in a situation which is different from the one it is usually used in, because the topic of the conversation is one that is associated with the situation it is usually used in.
For instance, a language which is usually used at home is occasionally
heard in a government office, because the topic that the
participants are discussing is associated with home.
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
Code-mixing There is also a kind of rapid switching
between codes in the same conversation, even within a single sentence.
Hello, Majda. How are you? Shu akhbarik?
Al-hamdu lillah, fine. Thank you. Ween kunti mabbarih?
Went to the movies with Selma. Reetik kunti ma9aana. Kan l-film fantastic.
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
BorrowingsBorrowing usually occurs when the speaker does not know
a suitable equivalent for the borrowed item in the first language.
The borrowed word is part of the lexicon of the first language. The borrowed items are almost always single words—usually, bur not exclusively, nouns— and are adapted to the first language in their pronunciation, morphology and grammar. An example of a borrowing into Arabic is the word ‘baguette' from the French "baguette" (sandwich) or the word ‘mgripi’ from the French word "grippe" (influenza, or flu).
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine
In code-switching, people switch not because they cannot come up with an item in one of the codes; they switch codes for important social considerations.
They switch from one code to another completely—in pronunciation, morphology, grammar and vocabulary. There is no modification or adaptation to the rules of the other code.
Scholars assert that borrowings are morphologically and syntactically integrated into the host language but code switches are not.
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat Mentouri University Constantine