Code Switching in Speech

The ability to communicate our thoughts, emotions, and opinions to others is truly a remarkable
skill. But not only does our language communicate who we are, but our use of language can
influence our self-concept and identity. It goes both ways: Cultural influences are reflected in our
language and also influence how we conceptualize who we are and where we come from. (The
social aspect of language is studied by sociolinguistics, a subdivision of linguistics which studies
social factors.)

What Is Code Switching?

Code switching is when a speaker alternates between two or more languages (or dialects or
varieties of language) in one conversation. This phenomenon can be observed in the following
examples.

Code-switching, process of shifting from one linguistic code (a language or dialect) to another,
depending on the social context or conversational setting. Sociolinguists, social psychologists,
and identity researchers are interested in the ways in which code-switching, particularly by
members of minority ethnic groups, is used to shape and maintain a sense of identity and a sense
of belonging to a larger community.

What Are Some Examples of Code Switching?

 If you have an exam next week, şimdidençalışmayabaşlamalısın. (English + Turkish)

 Gracias for the lovely gift. Está awesome! (Spanish + English)
 Pwedebatayo mag dinner sa Barney's Burgers later? I want protein! (Tagalog + English)
 Are we eating chez ta mèredemain? (English + French)
 Saweyti l-homework tabaa’ik? (Arabic + English)
 Nócòngđang celebrate cáisinhnhật. (Vietnamese + English)
 Níyàoqù get pizza with me ma? (Mandarin + English)

Code switching occurs mostly in bilingual communities. Speakers of more than one language are
known for their ability to code switch or mix their language during their communication.

Does the Term "Code Switching" Refer Only to Speech, or Does It Include Actions Also?

Since its inception, the term "code switching" has expanded to encapsulate any situation in which
speakers finds themselves switching from one accepted vocabulary, cadence, style, or set of rules
to another. For example, you'd probably speak to a potential employer differently than you
would address a close friend, so you might switch from casual language to professional-speak in
certain settings. Another example is how many African Americans describe playing different
roles in different settings and with different micro-cultures, and talk about how they must be very
careful to speak with an academic vocabulary and cadence in any interaction with a police
officer.

What About Code Switching With Dialects?

Yes, someone might code switch within one language by mixing dialects or types of vernacular.
You can mix academic-speak with street-speak, for example, or slip mid-sentence into baby-talk.

Reasons Speakers Use Code Switching

There are a number of possible reasons for switching from one language to another; three are
described below.

 To Fulfill a Need. A speaker who may not be able to express him/herself in one language
might switch to another to compensate for the deficiency. As a result, the speaker may be
triggered into speaking in the other language for a while. This type of code switching
tends to occur when the speaker is upset, tired, or distracted in some manner, or when
they are less fluent in one language.
 To Express Solidarity. Switching also commonly occurs when an individual wishes to
express solidarity with a particular social group. Rapport is established between the
speaker and the listener when the listener responds with a similar switch.
 To Exclude Others. Code switching may also be used to exclude others from a
conversation who do not speak the second language. For example, if two people in an
elevator in an English-speaking place spoke Spanish, then not only would the others on
that elevator who do not speak Spanish would be excluded from the conversation, but
also a degree of comfort and intimacy would be established between the Spanish-
speakers due to the fact that not all those present in the elevator can listen to their
conversation.

Is Code Switching a Bad Thing?

As Skiba (1997) comments, code switching is not a language interference on the basis that it
supplements speech. Where it is used due to an inability of expression, code switching provides
continuity in speech rather than presenting an interference in language.

When is code switching helpful?

 The socio-linguistic benefits of code switching include communicating solidarity with or

affiliation to a particular social group, so code switching can be viewed as a means of
providing a linguistic advantage rather than an obstruction to communication.
 Furthermore, code switching allows a speaker to convey more nuanced attitudes and
emotions by choosing from a bigger pool of words that is available to a bilingual person,
much like how one might use font, bolding, or underlining in a text document to
emphasize points.
 Utilizing the second language, then, allows speakers to increase the impact of their
speech and use it in a more effective manner.

When is code switching harmful?

If a dominant culture requires all citizens to conform to the dominant language and manner of
speaking, or if subcultures are punished in any way for not conforming completely to the
language majority, this is harmful.

Code Switching as a Language Interference

In certain settings, code switching might be a barrier to communication rather than an aid. In the
classroom, for example, code switching can be seen as language interference since it might
impede learning. Although students may see code switching as an acceptable form of
communication in society and may feel comfortable switching languages in everyday normal
conversation, in some other settings, this type of communication would put those who are not
bilingual at a disadvantage, because they would not be able to understand. Therefore, code
switching can be both beneficial and a possible language interference, depending on the situation
and the context in which it occurs.

Is Code Switching Deliberate or Accidental?

Sometimes, speakers flip from one language to another accidentally, but in many situations, code
switching is done deliberately to both create unity or to exclude someone from a conversation. It
is seen as a sign of solidarity within a group, and it is also assumed that all speakers in a
conversation must be bilingual in order for code switching to occur. Bilinguals do not usually
translate from the weaker language to the stronger one. Code switching is used most often when
a word doesn't "come."

Types of Code Switching

1. Inter-Sentential

In inter-sentential code switching, the language switch is done at sentence boundaries—words or

phrases at the beginning or end of a sentence. This type is seen most often in fluent bilingual
speakers. For example: If you are late for the job interview, işealınmazsın.

2. Intra-Sentential

In intra-sentential code switching, the shift is done in the middle of a sentence, with no
interruptions, hesitations, or pauses to indicate a shift. The speaker is usually unaware of the
shift. For example: You are sleepy coğuzaman, because you spend a lot of saat in your bed.
Different types of switches occur within the clause level and within the word level.

3. Extra-Sentential or Tag Switching

This is the switching of either a single word or a tag phrase (or both) from one language to
another. This type is common in intra-sentential switches. It involves the insertion of a tag from
one language into an utterance in another language. For example: "Éles de Oaxaca y así los
criaronaellos, if you know what I mean." Another example is how Turkish students use some
boundary words like ama(but) or yani(I mean) while speaking English.
Is Code Switching the Same as Code Mixing?

Both involve creating hybrid words or switching between two or more language within phrases,
clauses, or from one complete sentence to the next. Some use the terms "code mixing" and "code
switching" interchangeably, especially those who study morphology, syntax, and other formal
aspects of language, but other areas (like subfields of linguistics, communication, or education
theory) have their own extremely specific definitions for code mixing.

The main difference can be summarized like this: Code switching is something speakers do
intentionally because they want to express themselves with a personal style or flavor, but code
mixing is something speakers might do unintentionally simply because they don't know the
correct word or phrase.

Is Code Switching the Same as Speaking a Pidgin Language?

Code switching and pidgin are not exactly the same. The difference is that code switching
generally occurs when both speakers are fluent in both languages used in the conversation, while
a pidgin language is a grammatically simplified way of talking that develops between two or
more groups that don't share a language. Pidgin is more like a third dialect that evolves when
speakers do not share a common language. Usually, in pidgin, a speaker draws from two or more
languages but vocabulary and grammar are simplified and reduced.

https://owlcation.com/humanities/Code-Switching-Definition-Types-and-Examples-of-Code-
Switching

https://www.britannica.com/topic/code-switching