Definition of code switching
Code switching is defined as the
practice of selecting or altering linguistic elements to contextualize talk in
interaction. It also refers to the
alternate use of two or more languages in the same utterance or conversation. Example of code switching of bahasa Malaysian and
English is "Suami saya dulu slim and trim tapi sekarang plump like drum" (Before my
husband was slim and trim but now he is plump like a drum). From the example we
can see that they use their own language to substitute some words in foreign
language.
Types of code switching
There
are many types of code switching:
·
Situational code
switching : code switching varies according to
situation.
·
Metaphorical
code switching : in conversation, code
switching varies according to discourse function. (e.g., to include or exclude someone from a
conversation, to convey intimacy, or to emphasize a message).
Code
switching functions
The functions of code switching are different
according to its scopes. For example, in code switching of children
conversation, the functions are:
·
Representation of
speech :
CS employed to represent talk.
·
Imitation quotation :
CS involving imitation and change in tone of voice to play a
particular character.
·
Turn accommodation :
CS occurring between speakers’ turns.
·
Topic shift :
CS occurring due to a change of topic in conversation.
·
Situation switch : CS marking a switch
between science talk and non-science talk.
·
Insistence :
CS indicating a child’s persistence in a specific idea. The child usually repeated the same utterance in both languages.
·
Emphasis (command) : CS used to put emphasis on a specific command.
·
Clarification or
persuasion :
CS giving more information to clarify an idea or message.
·
Person
specification : CS occurring when children referred to another person
during their conversation.
·
Question shift :
CS indicating a switch in language when children had a question.
·
Discourse marker : Discourse markers are linguistic elements that do not necessarily
add to the content of the utterance but act as markers of the context in
which the utterance is taking place
Sources:
Reyes, Iliana.
2004. Functions of Code Switching in Schoolchildren’s Conversations. Bilingual
Research Journal.
Retrieved from http://www.u.arizona.edu/~ireyes/bibDoc/Reyes_BRJ_2004.pdf
on 9 May
Cook, Vivian. Code switching. Retrieved from http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vivian.c/SLA/codeswitching.htm
on 8 May
Nilep,
Chad. 2006. “code switching” in Sociocultural Linguistic. Colorado
Research in Linguistics, Volume 19. Retrieved from http://www.colorado.edu/ling/CRIL/Volume19_Issue1/paper_NILEP.pdf
. on 3 May.
