Difference between Code Mixing

and Code Switching

BY PAYAL KHULLAR · FEBRUARY 6, 2018

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Code in sociolinguistics simply refers to a language or a language variety.
Both Code Mixing and Code Switching are in one way or another coming
together of two or more languages or codes. Unlike Pidgins and Creoles,
these are milder instances of language contact situation. By simple
definition, Code Mixing is mixing of mostly words, but also phrases,
clauses or even complete sentences of two languages or varieties. Code
Switching is nothing but switching from one language to another to create
a special effect. Note the addition of the phrase “special effect” in the
definition of the latter. The key Difference between Code Mixing and
Code Switching is indeed that Code Switching has a special, social
pragmatic consequence while Code Mixing does not.
What are the Causes of Code Mixing
and Code Switching?
Let us first talk about one of the major causes of Code Mixing and Code
Switching in linguistics. Language contact is when two or more languages
or communities speaking those languages come in contact with each
other. Coming together of individuals or communities speaking distinct
languages most often results into bilingualism within the communities or
its members. In this age of wide spread global communication, you can
imagine that a language or speech community can rarely be monolingual.
Even if there were an isolated, monolingual community somewhere, it
would still show bilingualism, although within the language varieties
or dialects of that same language.
Hence, language contact and bilingualism are the prime causes of code
mixing and code switching in speech communities. This contact situation
is not only brought by physical interaction of the speakers. It can also be
social media interaction. Some other examples that facilitate language
contact are academic or non-academic reading in a non-native language.

Code Mixing and Code Switching

Difference
Let us now go on and talk more about the Difference between Code
Mixing and Code Switching with examples. Note that the terms code
mixing and switching in sociolinguistics are so closely related that some
linguists do not mind using them interchangeably. Both involve
hybridization of words, phrases, clauses or even full sentences of two or
more languages. The Difference between Code Mixing and Code
Switching is that switching is done in a particular setting or for a particular
purpose. And code mixing is done more out of linguistic requirement.

The language user switches codes while speaking in a certain style in

front of another person. In one way, we kind of change identities while
talking to different people. However, code mixing is more unintentional
that way. We can mix one code with another when we do not know the
correct translation of a particular word in another language. In fact, over
the time, many code-mixed words become so frequent that they form a
part of the language as loan or borrowed words. It is important that we
look at a language synchronically to better study code mixing.

Also, language and cultures are closely related. Sometimes a concept

expressed by one language is totally missing in another language. For
example, the word jhootha in Hindi. The word is used for something like
a utensil or food that someone has already used or tasted. This concept
is totally missing in a language like English. So while speaking or writing
in English, the user has no option but to use the word as it is. She can
also choose to give a description of that word instead. However, if she
knows that the other person knows Hindi as well, she will most likely use
the word as it is without hesitation. You may want to read this
interesting Quora discussion on how to say something is jhootha in
English.
Examples for Difference between
Code Mixing and Code Switching
Let us now try to understand Difference between Code Mixing and Code
Switching by looking at some example scenarios. While speaking Hindi,
many people use the word “teacher” instead of the word adhyapak. This
is because we use it less frequently. In fact, it is quite unnatural to say it
like that. Pure Hindi is spoken rarely these days. Many a times, it is
humorous to speak pure Hindi.
Sometimes we do not mix words just to sound natural. It also happens
that we forget words in our language. Or we do not know them at all. For
instance, do you know the Hindi word for the famous sport “Cricket”? How
about the word “Computer”? Please write the correct answer in the
comments below if you do. But I feel, you most likely don’t.

The thing is that English is the language of Education. We use it everyday

to achieve various purposes. We see it all around us. Hence, it is not
unlikely that we remember more English words for common things. Code
mixing of single words is very common in formal and informal speech.
Code mixing of complete clauses and sentences is also done. Although it
is a little less frequent.

Now, let us move on to another scenario. A native Hindi speaker is

speaking Hindi with his friends. All of a sudden, her boss comes and now
she starts speaking English. This is switching. It is done intentionally
because language users feel appropriate to communicate in a certain way
in certain situations.

The example I gave above is an example of inter-sentential code

switching. Code switching of single words can also be done. This is called
tag code switching. Let us look at an example of tag code switching also.
Consider a native English person giving speech in front of Spanish
audience. The audience understands both English and Spanish. But just
to induce comfort, she greets them with Hola instead of “Hello”. And says
the rest of the things in English. She intentionally uses the word Hola to
create a special effect in her speech. Hence, it would not be an example
of code mixing but code switching