Language and Society

Lecture 12
(Sept 29, 2022)

Code switching/mixing
What happens when two languages co-exist

Code switching


When more than one code is used.

When one switches the code depending on the situation


Metaphorical Code Switching
 Within the same situation code is switched depending on the topic


Situational code switching
 Where the code is switched depending on the situation


Conversational code switching (code mixing)
 Where a speaker switches codes within a single utterance/sentence without there being a situational
trigger for change or topic change.
Examples from Mesthrie et al (pgs 165, 166-67)
Some English Hindi examples

1.rough idea aisa tha kuch...!!! :) 0

2. apne guddu ko koi romantic script to de ke dekho 3:) ,... Aaag lga dega
ladka :D :D 1
3. acting tabhi hoti h jab dil me dard ya dar hota h :
4. कल exam है and I am just here scrolling :')
5. अभी four कब मारा था last ca n't even remember
6. I do n't know कि जब लोगों को unfollow करना होता है तो वह follow क्यों करते हैं !!
7. Sarcasm is just like Math हर किसी को समझ नहीं आती
8.He chooses dancing because cardio हो जाता है 😂😂😂😂😂 How cute . 🙈😂 "
9. Life में "" कु छ भी हो सकता है "" so always Be Positive !!! "
10. लिंके डीन पे जा के professionalism feel होता है
Issues

1. Is there some linguistic basis of how the two codes are mixed?
2. How are the two languages mixed? Is one of the languages more primary than
the other?
1. Matrix language and
2. Embedded language
3. What determines the matrix and embedded languages
4. Is it that always one of the languages is matrix?