Pooja Yangaldas

Professor: Sachin Labade

M.A Hons (Paper IX Study of Modern English Language-I)

20th March, 2019

Definitions of Code Switching

The lack of common agreement among the researchers, there has been

considerable hesitation and confusion in the exiting literature concerning the

definition of the code switching and its scope. It will not be wrong to say that

the ongoing additions to the literature have surprisingly complicated it further.

Several researchers have offered various definitions of code switching, but it is

marked that the definitions are based on following two reflections:

A] Scope of the term ‘code’ and B] Domain of code switching

Scope of the term ‘code’

Myers-Scotton and Ury [1977], Trudgill [1980] and Milroy [1994] limit the

scope of the term, ‘Code’ to language variety and consider code switching as an

alternate use of two language varieties. While another group of researchers like

Sankoff, D. and Poplack, S., [1981] and D’Souza [1992] view a ‘code’ as a

language and define code switching as the alternate use of two languages. Still

another group of researchers like Hymes and Romaine consider ‘code’ as a

broad term includes language, language variety and even speech style.

Domain of code switching

‘Code switching is a successive alternate use of two different languages within the same discourse’
[pg.59]. Trudgill [1980]

and judge that code switching is situationally marked and it

occurs when the situation changes or demands. Myers-Scotton and Ury [1977]

observed that code switching as the use of two or more linguistic varieties in the

same conversation or interaction.

‘Code-switching is a term in linguistics referring to alternation between two or

more languages, dialects, or language registers in the course of discourse

between people who have more than one language in common. Sometimes the

switch lasts only for a few sentences, or even for a single phrase.’

Intra-Sentential Switching
Code mixing by Indian English speakers

Code mixing, a popular phenomenon today, it shows the flow between two spoken

languages and is not confined to any particular section of society. It is manifested more

in a particular situation and very often within the same sentence and vary according to

the relationship between the speakers.

Key Words: code mixing, narrow cast, broad cast

A fluent bilingual or multilingual talking to another fluent bilingual or multi lingual

changes language effortlessly without any change in the context of the conversation.

This alternation is called Code Mixing. The purpose seems to symbolize a somewhat

ambiguous situation for which neither language on its own would be quite right. To

maintain a certain balance in the conversation between both speakers a fusion of both

is created.

Code Mixing takes place through three mechanisms; (a.) a tendency to eliminate

alternatives in syntax; specific loan-transactions which may act as models from

which regular constructions can be developed; (c.) it encourages languages to become

more similar in their syntax so that items from each may be easily substituted from one

another in the same sentence

Something similar to Code mixing is called code Switching. This is also known as

‘language switching’ which is to shift from one language to another to accommodate

changes in the external surroundings like the language would be shifted to help the

addresser to comprehend what is being said. Both the types pre assume bilingualism.

In this assignment I am going to analyse 3 songs from the hindi film industry which uses code
switching and code mixing.

(Jab Life Ho Out Of Control, Honto Ko Karke Gol

Honto Ko Karke Gol, Siti Bajaake Bol) - (2)
Aal Izz Well
Murgi Ka Jaane Ande Ka Kya Hoga
Are Life Milegi Ya Tave Pe Fry Hoga
Koyi Na Jaane Apana Future Kya Hoga
Hont Ghuma Siti Baja, Siti Bajaake Bol
Bhaiya Aal Izz Well, Are Bhaiya Aal Izz Well
Are Chaachu Aal Izz Well, Are Bhaiya Aal Izz Well

Confusion Hi Confusion Hai Solution Kuchh Pata Nahi

Solution Jo Mile Toh Saala Question Kya Tha Pata Nahi
Dil Jo Tere Baat Baat Pe Ghabraaye
Dil Pe Rakh Ke Haath Use Tu Fusala Le
Dil Idiot Hai Pyaar Se Usako Samajha Le
Hont Ghuma Siti Baja, Siti Bajaake Bol
Bhaiya Aal Izz Well, Are Bhaiya Aal Izz Well
Are Chaachu Aal Izz Well, Are Bhaiya Aal Izz Well

This song uses code mixing in a way we don’t even notice that its present. Instead of using pure
English or pure hindi this song is a complete mixture of words from hindi and English where in the
first line he says jab meaning when ho out of control hotto ko karke gol (roll your lips) and in 3rd line
all is well. Here In intra-sentential switching is used.

(Intra sentenial switching -switching of different types occurs within the

clause or sentence boundary. )

in the second stanza confusion hi confusion h solution kuch pata nahi. Here confusion is used as if
it’s a hindi word itself and it has no odd connotation to not be added in the song. We can also say
that this is a draw back of the hindi language or that the langage voluabulary doesn’t suit the mood
of the song per se. code switching here is setting the mood of the song and since English words so so
much used in hindi that it goes with the song. Especially in hindi songs and considering our history
with our country, we were ruled by britian and hence have more than one speaking language.

Jo dil se lage
Usse keh do hi, hi, hi, hi

Jo dil na lage
Usse keh do bye, bye, bye, bye

Aane do, aane do

Dil mein aa jaane do
Kehdo muskurahat ko
Hi, hi, hi, hi

Jaane do, jaane do

Dil se chale jaane do
Keh do ghabrahat ko
Bye, bye, bye, bye, bye-bye

Love you zindagi,love you zindagi

This song is another example of code mixing

The singer uses English words amidst the song for eg. The words hi and bye and they could have
used love you ‘life’ which is zingadi in hindi but they change it for stylistic purposes.

Jeewan Jeewan, Dariya Dariya

Ek Jo Paar Karo, Dusra Dariya Mile

Ho Saawan Saawan, Bagiya Bagiya

Yun Bhi Hota Hai Ki
Patthar Pe Bhi Hain Phool Khile

Seedhe Patte Pade

Baazi Yeh Tu Jeet Gaya
Waqt Mushkil Thha Magar
Jaise Bhi Ho Beet Gaya.
Aaj Duniya Bhi Tere Saath
Gun Guna Thi Hai
Kal Akela Hee Thha
Jo Dukh Bhara Who Geet Gaya

I’ve Been Runnin’ Half Way

Around The World
And I Found Myself At The
Station One Day
I Was Headin’ To The
Heartland Of Desire
Exit To The Left And
I Saw A Girl Standing There

And She Said

Hey Man, I Wanna Take That Train
This Indian Summer Sky
The Unforgettable Fire In Her Eyes
Took All Of My Attention
I Had Every Intention Of Walkin’ Away
But Then I Realized,
She’s Gonna Love Me Today
Wo Oh Ho….

This song is an example of code switching. This might be done for reasons like including more
audience since bilingual songs can be heard by both the only English and only hindi speakers and can
be enjoyed by both. The song makers must have also added English lyrics to assert that they can sing
and make lyrics in both languages and that they are not stuck to only one. Theres a monopoly of
English singers that hindi singers want to get into and establish themselves against the hegemony.