AN ANALYSIS OF CODE-MIXING USED IN KUALA LUMPUR
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
A PAPER
WRITTEN
BY
GUSRANDA TRITAMA
REG. NO: 112202062
DIPLOMA
–
III ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM
FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA
MEDAN
2
Approved by Supervisor,
Dr. Drs. Ridwan Hanafiah, S.H., M.A. NIP. 19560705198903 1 002
Submitted to Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Sumatera Utara in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Diploma–III in English Study Program.
Approved by
Head of Diploma–III English Study Program
Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A. NIP. 19521126198112 1 001
Approved by the Diploma–III of English Study Program
Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Sumatera Utara
As a paper for the Diploma–III Examination
Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Diploma–III Examination of the Diploma–III of English Study Program,
Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Sumatera Utara.
The examination is held on July, 2014
Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Sumatera Utara
Dean,
Dr. Syahron Lubis, M.A. NIP. 19511013197603 1 001
Board of Examiners Signature
1. Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A. (Head of ESP)
2. Dr. Drs. Ridwan Hanafiah, S.H., M.A. (Supervisor)
i
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION
I am, GUSRANDA TRITAMA, declare that I am the sole of author of this paper. Except
where reference is made in the text of this paper, this paper contains no material published
elsewhere or extracted in whole or in part from a paper by which I have qualified for or
awarded another degree.
No other person‟s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main text of this paper. This paper has not been submitted for the award of another degree in any tertiary
education.
Signed :
Date : July 2014
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
Name : GUSRANDA TRITAMA
Title of Paper : An Analysis of Code-mixing Used in Kuala Lumpur International
Airport
Qualification : D–III/ Ahli Madya
Study Program : English
1. I am willing that my paper should be available for reproduction at the discretion of the
Librarian of the Diploma III English Study Program Faculty of Cultural Studies University of
Sumatera Utara on the understanding that users are made aware of their obligation under law
of the Republic of Indonesia.
2. I am not willing that my paper be made available for reproduction.
Signed :
iii
ABSTRACT
This paper describes about the analysis of code-mixing used in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The problem that is found in the discussion of this topic is how the workers and passengers of Kuala Lumpur International Airport such as airline officers, information center officers and Malaysian travelers can understand about code-mixing also known as mixing more than one language in a sentence, in this case between Malay language and English language. This problem will be discussed in more detail in this paper. The purpose of writing this paper is to know that code-mixing is used in daily conversation by workers and passengers in Kuala Lumpur International Airport such as airline officers, information center officers and Malaysian travelers. In helping of writing this paper, the author finds the information by reading books from various sources that relate to the topic and doing field research to observe this problem. In conclusion, code-mixing is used in conversation by airline officers, information center officers and Malaysian travelers because of some factors such as bilingualism, speaker and speaking partner, social community, situation, vocabulary, prestige, habit and also because of both languages used by Malaysian communities.
ABSTRAK
Kertas karya ini berisi tentang analisis penggunaan campur kode yang digunakan di Bandar Udara Internasional Kuala Lumpur. Adapun masalah yang ditemukan dalam pembahasan topik ini adalah bagaimana para pekerja maupun calon penumpang di Bandar Udara Internasional Kuala Lumpur seperti petugas maskapai penerbangan, petugas pusat informasi, dan wisatawan Malaysia bisa mengerti akan campur kode atau yang lebih sering didengar dengan mencampur lebih dari satu bahasa dalam satu kalimat yang dalam kasus ini antara bahasa Melayu dan bahasa Inggris. Masalah ini akan dibahas lebih terperinci dalam kertas karya ini. Tujuan dari penulisan kertas karya ini adalah untuk mengetahui bahwa campur kode digunakan di dalam percakapan sehari-hari oleh para pekerja dan calon penumpang di Bandar Udara Internasional Kuala Lumpur seperti petugas maskapai penerbangan, petugas pusat informasi, dan wisatawan Malaysia. Untuk membantu penulisan kertas karya ini, penulis mencari informasi dengan membaca buku-buku dari berbagai sumber yang berhubungan dengan topik tersebut dan terjun ke lapangan untuk mengamati dan melakukan riset terhadap permasalahan ini. Sebagai kesimpulan, campur kode digunakan dalam percakapan oleh petugas maskapai penerbangan, petugas pusat informasi, dan wisatawan Malaysia karena beberapa faktor seperti bilingualisme, pembicara dan lawan bicara, komunitas sosial, situasi, perbendaharaan kata, gengsi, kebiasaan, dan juga karena kedua
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to thank to the Almighty God, Allah SWT who has given me health,
opportunity and ability to accomplish this paper. Afterwards, invocation and greetings I deliver
to Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Then, I would like to express a deep gratitude, love and appreciation to:
Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A. as the Head of Diploma-III English Study Program who has shared his time to guide me in the process of my study.
Dr.Drs. Ridwan Hanafiah, S.H., M.A. as my supervisor who has given his advice, criticism and valuable time in giving the correction and constructive critics in completing this paper
and leading me to accomplish my paper.
Drs. Chairul Husni, M.Ed., TESOL. as my reader who has given his valuable time in reading and giving constructive critics in completing this paper.
My beloved parents, Syofran Yohnny and Yulia Suseni. Thanks for your pray, support, love and patience to face my childishness. I‟m proud of having both of you and I present this paper
special for you.
My beloved sisters, Yunita Olivia Syaputri, S.T. and Inge Dwi Ratih, A.Md, thank you for always praying, supporting and understanding me.
My beloved brothers-in-law, Ihsan Muttaqin, S.E. and Ade Afrianto, A.Md, thank you for always praying, supporting and understanding me.
My cute nephew Dzeko Addin Rasyad who has given me a lot of smile and laugh.
My closest friends Astari Ramadhani, Sri Endah Wulandari, Diva Firda, Tria Meilani Handani, Natasha Aristanindika, and Dandy Kurniawan, thank you for always being beside me when I am alone and when we are doing our favorite activities.
SOLIDAS USU 2011, especially for my classmates in Class B and also Class A in Diploma-III English Study Program, thank you for being my nice classmates.
The officers of AirAsia Bhd and all of the officers of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, thank you for giving me opportunities to do field research and overview at KLIA.
Finally, I do realize that this paper is still far from perfect. Therefore, advice, constructive
criticism and suggestions aimed for this paper will be warmly welcome and highly appreciated. I
also hope this paper would be useful for the readers in the future.
Medan, July 2014
The author,
vii
2.2 The Meaning of Sociolinguistics... 5
2.3 Code-mixing.... 7
2.4 The Factors of Code-mixing Usage... 8
3. THE ANALYSIS... 11
3.1 Code-mixing used by Airline Officers... 11
3.2 Code-mixing used by Information Center Desk Officers... 16
3.3 Code-mixing used by Malaysian Travelers... 20
ABSTRACT
iv
ABSTRAK
Kertas karya ini berisi tentang analisis penggunaan campur kode yang digunakan di Bandar Udara Internasional Kuala Lumpur. Adapun masalah yang ditemukan dalam pembahasan topik ini adalah bagaimana para pekerja maupun calon penumpang di Bandar Udara Internasional Kuala Lumpur seperti petugas maskapai penerbangan, petugas pusat informasi, dan wisatawan Malaysia bisa mengerti akan campur kode atau yang lebih sering didengar dengan mencampur lebih dari satu bahasa dalam satu kalimat yang dalam kasus ini antara bahasa Melayu dan bahasa Inggris. Masalah ini akan dibahas lebih terperinci dalam kertas karya ini. Tujuan dari penulisan kertas karya ini adalah untuk mengetahui bahwa campur kode digunakan di dalam percakapan sehari-hari oleh para pekerja dan calon penumpang di Bandar Udara Internasional Kuala Lumpur seperti petugas maskapai penerbangan, petugas pusat informasi, dan wisatawan Malaysia. Untuk membantu penulisan kertas karya ini, penulis mencari informasi dengan membaca buku-buku dari berbagai sumber yang berhubungan dengan topik tersebut dan terjun ke lapangan untuk mengamati dan melakukan riset terhadap permasalahan ini. Sebagai kesimpulan, campur kode digunakan dalam percakapan oleh petugas maskapai penerbangan, petugas pusat informasi, dan wisatawan Malaysia karena beberapa faktor seperti bilingualisme, pembicara dan lawan bicara, komunitas sosial, situasi, perbendaharaan kata, gengsi, kebiasaan, dan juga karena kedua
bahasa tersebut digunakan oleh masyarakat Malaysia.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background of the Study
Malaysia has Malay language as its first official language. It has also
English language as its second official language. The main ethnic groups within
Malaysia comprise the Malays, Chinese and Indians, with many other ethnic
groups represented in smaller numbers, each with its own languages. The ethnic
groups of Malaysia are 50.4% Malay, 23.7% Chinese, 11.0% Indigenous, 7.1%
Indian and 7.8% other. Usually, Malay language is used by Malay people as their
mother tongue, meanwhile English language which is also known as Malaysian
English (Malaysian Standard English/MySE) is used by everyone who has the
distinction of race such as Chinese, Indian and Caucasian. Malaysian English also
sees wide usage in business, along with Manglish, which is a colloquial form of
English with heavy Malay, Chinese dialect and Tamil influences. Most
Malaysians are conversant in English although some are only fluent in the
Manglish form. Then, they do a code-mixing which refers to the mixing of two or
more languages, in this case is mixing Malay language and English language.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is one of Asia's major
aviation hubs and is a destination in itself. It is located at the top of the southern
corridor of Peninsular Malaysia, bordering the states of Selangor and Negeri
Sembilan. It is situated in the Sepang district, approximately 50 km from the
capital city, Kuala Lumpur. KLIA is a unique airport because it has within its
boundaries all that is needed for business, entertainment and relaxation. KLIA is
2
Malacca. The airport is a catchment area and offers exciting opportunities for
businesses. Every effort has been made to create a homely airport with a serene
environment.
As the biggest airport in Malaysia, KLIA has a numerous of official
employees such as airline officers and information center officers. Besides that,
KLIA has also a numerous of passengers (Malaysian travelers) who arrive in
KLIA and want to do travelling to Kuala Lumpur or depart from KLIA and want
to go abroad. Each other have the way of communication by using one or more
language moreover mix one language to another language in this case between
Malay language and English language. However, they keep understand about the
meaning of what people say even they mix the Malay language and English
language, the example is they mix the Malay words and English words in one
sentence.
1.2 The Problem of the Study
The problem of this paper which is raised by the writer is about the
conversation by code-mixing used between Malay language and English language
in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
1.3 The Scope of the Study
The writer limits the usage of code-mixing by the airline officers,
information center desk officers and Malaysian travelers.
1.4 The Purpose of the Study
In writing this paper, there are 3 purposes. They are:
Malay language and English language.
2) To introduce to the reader about Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
3) To explain to the reader about the reasons of code-mixing usage.
1.5 The Significance of the Study
Theoretically, the significance of this analysis is to understand of
code-mixing usage between Malay language and English language. Practically, it has
significance for the readers to know about Malaysian people who have a habit of
mixing more than one languages in a sentence, in this case between Malay
language and English language.
1.6 The Method of the Study
To collect data, the writer applies library research by reading books and
articles on internet that relate to the title. Besides that, he also applies field
research to find data by having survey, overview and take some interviews to the
airlines officers, information center officers and Malaysian travelers in Kuala
4
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 The Meaning of Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. There are broadly three
aspects to the study, which include language form, language meaning, and
language in context.
Language can be understood as interplay of sound and meaning. The
discipline that studies linguistic sound is termed as phonetics, which is concerned
with the actual properties of speech sounds and non-speech sounds, and how they
are produced and perceived. The study of language meaning, on the other hand, is
concerned with how languages employ logic and real-world references to convey,
process, and assign meaning, as well as to manage and resolve ambiguity. This in
turn includes the study of semantics (how meaning is inferred from words and
concepts) and pragmatics (how meaning is inferred from context).
There is a system of rules (known as grammar) which govern the
communication between members of a particular speech community. Grammar is
influenced by both sound and meaning, and includes morphology (the formation
and composition of words), syntax (the formation and composition of phrases and
sentences from these words), and phonology (sound systems). Through corpus
linguistics, large chunks of text can be analyzed for possible occurrences of
certain linguistic features, and for stylistic patterns within a written or spoken
2.2 The Meaning of Sociolinguistics
The study of such cultural discourses and dialects is the domain of
sociolinguistics, which looks at the relation between linguistic variation and social
structures, as well as that of discourse analysis, which involves the structure of
texts and conversations. Research on language through historical and evolutionary
linguistics focuses on how languages change, and the origin and growth of
languages, particularly over an extended period of time.
Language is also influenced by social, cultural, historical and political
factors, and linguistics can be applied to semiotics, for instance, which is the
general study of signs and symbols both within language and without. Literary
critics study the use of language in literature. Translation entails the conversion of
a text from one language to another.
Sociolinguistics is the descriptive study of the effect of any and all aspects
of society, including cultural norms, expectations, and context, on the way
language is used, and the effects of language use on society. Sociolinguistics
differs from sociology of language in that the focus of sociolinguistics is the effect
of the society on the language, while the sociology of language focuses on
language's effect on the society. Sociolinguistics overlaps to a considerable degree
with pragmatics. It is historically closely related to linguistic anthropology and the
distinction between the two fields has even been questioned recently.
Sociolinguistics is also a term which is concerned with the relationship between
language and context in which it used. Fishman (1972: 4) explains that
6
characteristics of their function, and the characteristics of their speakers as these
three constantly interact, change and change one another within a speech
community.
Based on the definition of sociolinguistics above, it can be concluded that
sociolinguistics relates with the analysis of using language such as the description
of language patterns used, the variety of dialects, the choice of language and
speakers who are involved. Fishman (1972: 15) defines that the term as a study of
who speak, what language, to whom, when and to what end. Dittmar (1976: 128)
says that sociolinguistics gives clue in communication by showing the language,
variety of language and speech style used if someone interacts to another one.
There are seven cases which are analyzed in sociolinguistics; social identity of
speaker, social identity of listener, social environment, social dialects, social
stratification of speaker, levels of variety of language and practice application.
Sociolinguistics encompass a broad range of concerns, including
bilingualism, Pidgin and Creole language and other ways using language is
influenced by contact among people of different language communities.
The basic notion underlying sociolinguistics is quite simple. Symbolically
language represents fundamental dimensions of social behavior and human
interaction. The communication ways in which language is reflected by human
2.3 Code-mixing
Code is a term which refers to a variety. Variety is a sociolinguistics term
referring to language in context. It is a set of linguistics form used under specific
social circumstance, i.e. with distinctive social distribution. Variety is therefore a
broad term, which includes different regional language, different accents, different
linguistic style, different function and dialects.
The term code can not be separated from two phenomenal terms namely
code-mixing and code-switching. Those are terms in bilingualism for language
and especially speech that draws to differing extends at least two languages
combined in different ways.
Most nations have speakers of more than one language. Those speakers
routinely use two or three languages in their conversational exchange.
Code-switching is the inevitable consequence of bilingualism.
One of the most striking phenomena in bilingual‟s performance is the
occurrence of the seemingly mixing of two languages and know as code-mixing.
Bilingual speakers may utilize code-mixing as a marker in-group identity in
various intra-group bilingual community. It may occur because speakers want to
show their solidarity and familiarity each other.
In principle, code-mixing is the mixing from one language into the
structure of other language in the same utterance. It is the embedding of various
components of language such as word, phrase, clause and even sentence from a
cooperative activity where the participants in order to infer what is intended. In
8
clause and even sentence in the same utterance. The components of language
between two languages involved do not influence its structure.
Code-mixing is well-known traits in the speech pattern of the average
bilingual in any human society. Code-mixing occurs in bilingual communication
by using more than one language. In sociolinguistics study, code-mixing is often
discussed inseparably although this is hard to differentiate.
Code-mixing is mixing two languages where there is main code used in its
function but contrastive condition with another one involved which is only as
pieces in the utterance of code mixing.
2.4 The Factors of Code-mixing Usage
Beardsmore (1982: 38) agrees that there are some factors that cause people
do code-mixing:
1) Bilingualism
It can not be avoided that the ability to use or to speak more than one
language is a basic factor of code-mixing. Most of the world‟s population is
bilingual or multilingual.
2) Speaker and Partner Speaking
Communication is the process of expressing ideas between two
participants of conversation. Speaker needs partner speaking to communicate and
code-mixing could appear if both use and understand it well.
3) Social Community
An individual lives and cooperates in one community either in
use two languages in their interactions. In this case, an individual will be
influenced by social community directly.
4) Situation
Usually code-mixing occurs in relax or informal situation. This situation is
closer with daily conversation and for writers is also described as their habitual
communication.
5) Vocabulary
There is not appropriate word or when there is a lack of vocabulary in one
language. The inability to find an appropriate word or expression in one language
makes people change the word or phrase from one to another language and it can
be combined together.
6) Prestige
Globalization era has led people must be able to speak more than one
language, especially English language. For many young people, code-mixing
becomes own style which is hoped to be modern and educational one. They mix
language because of prestige.
Besides that, there are some loanwords which mean word
borrowed from a donor language and incorporated into a recipient language
directly, without translation. It can be distinguished from a calque, or loan
translation, where a meaning or idiom from another language is translated into
existing words or roots of the host language. There are some examples of
loanword from English language into Malay language, such as: apple = epal,
10
message = mesej, orange = oren, police =polis, station = stesen, taxi = teksi,
telephone = telefon, television = televisyen, truck = trak, university = universiti.
Because of some loanwords have the similarity with the words of Malay
language, so that has been a habit of Malaysian people to use code-mixing in
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 The Meaning of Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. There are broadly three
aspects to the study, which include language form, language meaning, and
language in context.
Language can be understood as interplay of sound and meaning. The
discipline that studies linguistic sound is termed as phonetics, which is concerned
with the actual properties of speech sounds and non-speech sounds, and how they
are produced and perceived. The study of language meaning, on the other hand, is
concerned with how languages employ logic and real-world references to convey,
process, and assign meaning, as well as to manage and resolve ambiguity. This in
turn includes the study of semantics (how meaning is inferred from words and
concepts) and pragmatics (how meaning is inferred from context).
There is a system of rules (known as grammar) which govern the
communication between members of a particular speech community. Grammar is
influenced by both sound and meaning, and includes morphology (the formation
and composition of words), syntax (the formation and composition of phrases and
sentences from these words), and phonology (sound systems). Through corpus
linguistics, large chunks of text can be analyzed for possible occurrences of
certain linguistic features, and for stylistic patterns within a written or spoken
5
2.2 The Meaning of Sociolinguistics
The study of such cultural discourses and dialects is the domain of
sociolinguistics, which looks at the relation between linguistic variation and social
structures, as well as that of discourse analysis, which involves the structure of
texts and conversations. Research on language through historical and evolutionary
linguistics focuses on how languages change, and the origin and growth of
languages, particularly over an extended period of time.
Language is also influenced by social, cultural, historical and political
factors, and linguistics can be applied to semiotics, for instance, which is the
general study of signs and symbols both within language and without. Literary
critics study the use of language in literature. Translation entails the conversion of
a text from one language to another.
Sociolinguistics is the descriptive study of the effect of any and all aspects
of society, including cultural norms, expectations, and context, on the way
language is used, and the effects of language use on society. Sociolinguistics
differs from sociology of language in that the focus of sociolinguistics is the effect
of the society on the language, while the sociology of language focuses on
language's effect on the society. Sociolinguistics overlaps to a considerable degree
with pragmatics. It is historically closely related to linguistic anthropology and the
distinction between the two fields has even been questioned recently.
Sociolinguistics is also a term which is concerned with the relationship between
language and context in which it used. Fishman (1972: 4) explains that
characteristics of their function, and the characteristics of their speakers as these
three constantly interact, change and change one another within a speech
community.
Based on the definition of sociolinguistics above, it can be concluded that
sociolinguistics relates with the analysis of using language such as the description
of language patterns used, the variety of dialects, the choice of language and
speakers who are involved. Fishman (1972: 15) defines that the term as a study of
who speak, what language, to whom, when and to what end. Dittmar (1976: 128)
says that sociolinguistics gives clue in communication by showing the language,
variety of language and speech style used if someone interacts to another one.
There are seven cases which are analyzed in sociolinguistics; social identity of
speaker, social identity of listener, social environment, social dialects, social
stratification of speaker, levels of variety of language and practice application.
Sociolinguistics encompass a broad range of concerns, including
bilingualism, Pidgin and Creole language and other ways using language is
influenced by contact among people of different language communities.
The basic notion underlying sociolinguistics is quite simple. Symbolically
language represents fundamental dimensions of social behavior and human
interaction. The communication ways in which language is reflected by human
7
2.3 Code-mixing
Code is a term which refers to a variety. Variety is a sociolinguistics term
referring to language in context. It is a set of linguistics form used under specific
social circumstance, i.e. with distinctive social distribution. Variety is therefore a
broad term, which includes different regional language, different accents, different
linguistic style, different function and dialects.
The term code can not be separated from two phenomenal terms namely
code-mixing and code-switching. Those are terms in bilingualism for language
and especially speech that draws to differing extends at least two languages
combined in different ways.
Most nations have speakers of more than one language. Those speakers
routinely use two or three languages in their conversational exchange.
Code-switching is the inevitable consequence of bilingualism.
One of the most striking phenomena in bilingual‟s performance is the
occurrence of the seemingly mixing of two languages and know as code-mixing.
Bilingual speakers may utilize code-mixing as a marker in-group identity in
various intra-group bilingual community. It may occur because speakers want to
show their solidarity and familiarity each other.
In principle, code-mixing is the mixing from one language into the
structure of other language in the same utterance. It is the embedding of various
components of language such as word, phrase, clause and even sentence from a
cooperative activity where the participants in order to infer what is intended. In
clause and even sentence in the same utterance. The components of language
between two languages involved do not influence its structure.
Code-mixing is well-known traits in the speech pattern of the average
bilingual in any human society. Code-mixing occurs in bilingual communication
by using more than one language. In sociolinguistics study, code-mixing is often
discussed inseparably although this is hard to differentiate.
Code-mixing is mixing two languages where there is main code used in its
function but contrastive condition with another one involved which is only as
pieces in the utterance of code mixing.
2.4 The Factors of Code-mixing Usage
Beardsmore (1982: 38) agrees that there are some factors that cause people
do code-mixing:
1) Bilingualism
It can not be avoided that the ability to use or to speak more than one
language is a basic factor of code-mixing. Most of the world‟s population is
bilingual or multilingual.
2) Speaker and Partner Speaking
Communication is the process of expressing ideas between two
participants of conversation. Speaker needs partner speaking to communicate and
code-mixing could appear if both use and understand it well.
3) Social Community
An individual lives and cooperates in one community either in
9
use two languages in their interactions. In this case, an individual will be
influenced by social community directly.
4) Situation
Usually code-mixing occurs in relax or informal situation. This situation is
closer with daily conversation and for writers is also described as their habitual
communication.
5) Vocabulary
There is not appropriate word or when there is a lack of vocabulary in one
language. The inability to find an appropriate word or expression in one language
makes people change the word or phrase from one to another language and it can
be combined together.
6) Prestige
Globalization era has led people must be able to speak more than one
language, especially English language. For many young people, code-mixing
becomes own style which is hoped to be modern and educational one. They mix
language because of prestige.
Besides that, there are some loanwords which mean word
borrowed from a donor language and incorporated into a recipient language
directly, without translation. It can be distinguished from a calque, or loan
translation, where a meaning or idiom from another language is translated into
existing words or roots of the host language. There are some examples of
loanword from English language into Malay language, such as: apple = epal,
message = mesej, orange = oren, police =polis, station = stesen, taxi = teksi,
telephone = telefon, television = televisyen, truck = trak, university = universiti.
Because of some loanwords have the similarity with the words of Malay
language, so that has been a habit of Malaysian people to use code-mixing in
11
3. THE ANALYSIS
3.1 Code-mixing made by Airline Officers
One of the most striking phenomena in a bilingual‟s linguistic
performance is the occurrence of the seemingly random mixing of two languages,
both within and between utterances, during a conversational exchange. This
linguistic behavior not only attracts scholarly attention but also raises questions
about the various features which characterize language-mixing. In fact, some
earlier studies have focused on factors which govern the occurrences of language
mixing at various linguistic levels as well.
There are a lot of airline officers in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Most of their airline‟s passengers are Malaysian people. One of reputable airline
in Kuala Lumpur International Airport is AirAsia. AirAsia‟s officers have some
different sections of their occupations such as flight attendant (cabin crew), check
in counter staff, boarding gate staff, ground handling staff and customer service
staff. As we know, Malaysia has Malay language as its first official language and
English language as its second official language. Then, when passengers would
like to go out of Kuala Lumpur by plane, they must be going to Kuala Lumpur
International Airport and doing some interacts to the airline officers in Kuala
Lumpur International Airport. For example, there is a Malaysian passenger who
wants to go to Medan from Kuala Lumpur, then she should be in queue of check
in counter and must do the check in, she is taken care by a Chinese check in
counter staff who is able to speak in Malay language and English language and he
ticket?”, then the Malaysian passenger gives her ticket to the check in counter
staff while answering the question of the check in counter staff as “Of course. Ini
ticket saya, you boleh ambil.” (Of course. This is my ticket, you may take it.).
That is one simple example of their conversation by using code-mixing between
Malay language and English language, because the check in counter staff listened
that the passenger was speaking by using mixing, so that he also does
code-mixing when he is speaking to the Malaysian passenger as “Apa you punya
luggage?” (Do you have any luggage?) and the Malaysian passenger answers as
“No lah. I nak bawa luggage kecil to cabin kapal terbang tu.” (No, I don‟t. I want
to bring small luggage to the aircraft cabin.) then the counter check in staff replies
as “Well, ini your boarding pass, you harus tunggu boarding di boarding room
secepatnya.” (Well, this is your boarding pass, you must be waiting in the
boarding room as soon as possible.) and finally the Malaysian passenger answers
as “Terima kasih, I nak running ke boarding room tu secepatnya.” (Thank you, I
would be running to the boarding room as soon as possible.). By looking at the
example above, we know that some of code-mixing factors are the ethnicity
difference and habit. Malaysian people understand the meaning of code-mixed
sentence because the habit and they are able to speak more than one language in
this case between Malay language and English language.
Another example is when a flight attendant is taking care of her airline‟s
passenger on board, the passenger would buy a hot coffee and order it to the flight
attendant as “Permisi, miss. Can I have secangkir kopi panas?” (Excuse me, miss.
13
boleh lah. The price is only RM 7 and you will get sandwich dengan percuma.”
(Of course you can. The price is only RM 7 and you will get free sandwich.).
Another factor of code-mixing usage is by taking a look to the interlocutor‟s
ethnicity of his/her body, for example when your interlocutor is a caucasian from
Australia then automatically you will be speaking to him by using English
language, and if a Malaysian meets an Indonesian, the Malaysian probably thinks
that the Indonesian is a Malaysian then the Malaysian speaks in Malay language
to the Indonesian while the Indonesian speaks in English then they do
code-mixing among Malay language, Indonesian language and English language.
Other examples of code-mixing in sentences which are used by the airline
officers to their workmates or their airline‟s passengers such as:
1) “Have you makan untuk lunch break ni?” (Have you taken a lunch on this
lunch break?)
2) “Saya suka makan di restaurant tu because menunya sangat interesting.” (I
like having a lunch at that restaurant because the menu is very interesting.)
3) “Where are you working and kerja apa di sana?” (Where are you working and
what is your occupation there?)
4) “Can you temankan I untuk hantarkan luggage-luggage ini to Lost and Found
counter?” (Can you accompany me to bring these luggages to Lost and Found
counter?)
5) “Dia missed her connecting flight, so dia tak boleh check in.” (She missed her
There are many reasons why the airline‟s officers at Kuala Lumpur
International Airport do code-mixing, such as:
1) It is part of their habit nowadays of mixing more than one language in single
sentence.
2) They learn and communicate with people by using different languages.
3) They do code-mixing in their daily life.
4) They used to mix more than one language while speaking to people.
5) They understand two languages (Malay language and English language) so
that they used to use two languages while speaking to people.
There is an answer why they understand the code-mixing used in their
daily life between Malay language and English language. They understand two
languages (Malay language and English language) as the official language of
Malaysia.
A sociolinguistic study of language mixing behavior in bi- or multilingual
community can by itself, contribute to a greater understanding of why people
choose one particular variety of code or mix it with the other in certain social
contexts.
In a less stable bilingualism, where both social and linguistics factors are
still undergoing a rapid transition, role relationships and domains of language
behavior, such as home or public settings, may, in varying degrees, encourage
members, of the speech community to use the „mother-tongue‟ or the „second
language‟ in different relationship. Home settings may encourage the use of
15
home settings or other private domains have a much greater influence in
maintaining the in-group socio-cultural heritages of which norms of language
behavior become a part.
Ohiowutum (1997) classifies five functions of code-mixing, they are:
1) Identity Marking
A speaker may use a particular code to signal a specific types of identity,
for example moderning, sophisticated, or authority. The speaker wants to show
their proficiency in using many languages; they use code-mixing as a prestige
language.
2) A Strategy of Neutrality
Code-mixing can be employed as a strategy of neutrality when the used of
any language in the repertoire might suggest the wrong message to somebody.
In this case, the using of code-mixing can make something that speaker said
clearly and easier to understand.
3) Stylistic Function
Code-mixing is also used for stylistic function. In this case, stylistic
function is related to the beautiful of language. It can be as a language style to
make utterance or sentence more interesting. It can be in song or poetry, etc.
4) Expression of Personality
Code-mixing signal important socio culture and textual functions as an
expression of certain types of complex personalities and communities. By
using code-mixing, someone maybe want to show his personality and his
5) Intentions for Clarifying
Intention of clarifying the speech content for interlocutor. It means to
make the content of a speech run smoothly and can be understood by the
listener.
3.2 Code-mixing made by Information Center Desk Officers
Within an intra-group context an individual may demonstrate an
alternation of code between Malaysian language and English language. As part of
their communicative competence, it is also assumed that speakers are able to
recognize which types of code-mixing are acceptable and which are not.
As one of the biggest airports in Asia, Kuala Lumpur International Airport
has a lot of information centers. When the information center officers announce
some announcements, they are not doing a mixing but they do
code-switching. At first, they announce the announcements in Malay language, then
they switch it into English language, example: “Minta perhatian, panggilan
terakhir untuk penumpang pesawat AirAsia dengan nombor penerbangan AK 395
destinasi ke Kualanamu Medan sila menuju pintu P7. Terima kasih.”, then they
do code-switching into English language, such as “Your attention please, the final
call for the passengers of AirAsia with flight number AK 395 heading to
Kualanamu Medan please head to gate P7. Thank you.”. Beside announce some
announcements, the information center officers are also giving information to
passengers who ask some information such as the transportation from the airport
to the city, the nearest hotel, the restaurants or cafe, etc. Code-mixing is used
17
they ask for such as the passenger who ask to the information center officer
“Excuse me, I nak pergi to city in KL Sentral, apa saja transportation yang boleh
I pakai and I nak tambang yang cheap lah?” (Excuse me, I would like to go to
city in KL Sentral, what transportations I can use and I want the cheap fare.), then
one of the information center officers replies “Ada banyak transportation you
boleh pakai. You boleh pakai bas yang tambangnya RM 8 and you juga boleh
pakai train which the fare as RM 80.” (There is much transportation you may use.
You may take the bus which the fare as RM 8 and you may also take the train
which the fare as RM 80.).
Like code-switching, „borrowing‟ has also been used extensively in
different senses, one of which is: the adoption of an element of one language to
the other either with or without being assimilated into the linguistic system of the
borrowing language. The use of the term „borrowing‟ in such a sense has,
however, raised the question of whether one can distinguish „borrowing‟ and
„code-switching‟ from language mixing-data. Gumperz (1982:66) says,
“Borrowing can be defined as the introduction of single words or short frozen,
idiomatic phrases from one variety into the other. The items in question are
incorporated into the grammatical system of the borrowing language. They are
treated as part of its lexicon, take on its morphological characteristics and enter
into its synthetic structures. Code-switching, by contrast, relies on the meaningful
juxtaposition of what speakers must consciously or subconsciously process as
strings formed according to the internal rules of two distinct grammatical
According to Gumperz, the characteristics of borrowings are that they are
assimilated into the recipient language, mostly single words or idiomatic
expressions and have become parts of the lexical inventory of the recipient
language.
Of several other phenomena of language-mixing, „integration‟ probably
deserves its own place in the analysis since word-integration is a common feature
of the speech of Malaysian bilinguals. Many words from English language as well
as from other languages have been integrated into the morph-syntax of Malay
language. They are widely used by some particular sections of the community,
especially within professional circles.
The inclusion of word-integration in the study of language-mixing,
however, will pose a problem about the nature of the phenomenon and what type
of word-integration should be taken into account. As words have been fully
integrated into the recipient language, they are no longer „foreign‟ to that
language. The words have become part of the lexical inventory of the recipient
language which, in turn, makes the analysis of language mixing inappropriate.
However, it may be relevant to the analysis if any deviations from
word-integration rules are considered parts of language-mixing. Unlike code-switching
or borrowing, word–integration may occur in the speech of those with only
monolingual competence.
Obviously, language mixing involves at least two languages. One of these
languages always constitutes the base language of the discourse while the other
19
Other examples of code-mixing in sentences which are used by the
information center officers to their workmates or the passengers of Kuala Lumpur
International Airport such as:
6) “You boleh ambil maps ini for your travel guide.” (You may take these maps
for your travel guide.)
7) “If you nak pergi to Salak Tinggi by train, at first you must pergi ke Terminal 1
and then you boleh take train of KLIA Transit then stop at stesen Salak
Tinggi.” (If you want to go to Salak Tinggi by train, at first you must go to
Terminal 1 and then you may take train of KLIA Transit then stop at Salak
Tinggi station.)
There are many reasons why the information center officers at Kuala
Lumpur International Airport do code-mixing, such as:
1) In Malaysia, mixing more than one language in single sentence is quite
common and sometimes speaking Malay language is more difficult than
speaking English language.
2) Being Malaysian and working at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, they
always hear when people are speaking in two languages, Malay language and
English language.
3) They can speak English but just a little, while they are speaking English and do
not know what the next words would be said, and they would say Malay words.
3.3 Code-mixing made by Malaysian Travelers
Assuming that language mixing is not random, speakers should have
knowledge of using or alternating codes at any permissible switching points
within a sentence. In other words, speakers should have the ability to distinguish
which alternations are grammatically acceptable and which are not. For this
purpose, a list of synthetic constructions was recorded for presentation to
informants. The list consists of a selection of “original” code-mixing sequences
combined with the invented code-mixing sequences. The first was obtained from
an extensive corpus of a conversational data while the second was reconstructed
from the originals by placing the mixes between different constituents.
Kuala Lumpur is one of the most-visited cities for holiday in Asia, there
are a lot of international and domestic tourists who visit Kuala Lumpur each year.
Most of Malaysian travelers are also doing code-mixing when they are speaking
to Malay. There are some reasons why they do code-mixing when speaking, such
as:
1) They understand the two languages, Malay language and English language.
2) They are influenced by people who are also doing code-mixing when speaking.
3) It is a natural thing in Malaysia because people do code-mixing when speaking.
4) As Malaysian people, they can speak Malay and learn English. Therefore, they
can speak two languages and do code-mixing.
5) Code-mixing is used daily in Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur.
There are some examples of code-mixing sentences used by Malaysian
21
8) “I suka makan makanan yang best dan sedap.” (I like eating the best and
delicious food.)
9) “How would you know where is the best restaurant untuk makan?” (How
would you know where is the best restaurant for eating?)
10) “I came to Bandung for jalan-jalan.” ( I came to Bandung for travelling.)
Word is the smallest unit of language that can exist on its own in either
written or spoken language. It is also constituents of a sentence that due to their
order, their suffices, prefixes and differentiating signs give some meaning.
Morpheme can not be decomposed into smaller units which are either meaningful
or mark such singular or plural.
A phrase is a group of words acting as single part of speech and not
containing both a subject and a verb, a part of a sentence and does not express a
complete thought. In other word, phrase is a group of words that go together but
do not build a complete sentence.
Clause is a group of related words containing a subject and a verb. Clause
in general classified as independent and dependent clause. An independent clause
is the main idea of sentence. It can stand alone by itself or make sense by itself.
When it is separated from other clause, it referred to simply as sentence. While a
dependent clause is the subordinate idea of sentence. It must combine with an
independent clause in order to be a part of a sentence. It is also created by a
Frank (1972: 220) says that sentence is a „complete thought‟ by seeing or
listening a statement. Based on the function, the definition becomes a sentence
consists of a subject and a predicate.
Code-mixing occurs when a person changes the language in relay for a
discussion of the same topic. For example, items to be discussed are the current
economy. Last speaker will speak in English, then connected with the texts in the
Malaysian language, after that returned to use English. Sometimes, the term used
interchangeably. The same process may also occur when a person uses a mix of
Malay dialects respectively while speaking. This process occurs continuously
until the end of the discussion.
Code mixing can occur when a person is aware of and master more than
one language. If the speaker take full charge between two languages it is known
as ambilingual. Knowledge of both languages is not as good as was called
bilingualism. In discussing the code-mixing we can not escape from the following
terms: switching, code alternation, language mixing and sometimes
code-shifting. These terms appear consistently in the professionals library and scholars
rarely agree which one should be used and at any time. All these terms refer to the
fact some language speakers who are proficient in two or more languages
incorporate bilingualism or multilingual skills in their first language so their
expression is usually the mother tongue and second language speakers of a
language usually obtained when teenagers or adults share the responsibility to
23
In Malaysia, code-mixing is used in their daily conversation. This is
because most of the people who live in Malaysia can speak more than one
language. As example, Malays can speak two languages, such as Malay and
English. Chinese sometimes can speak four languages, such as Cantonese,
Mandarin, Malay and English. Those who live in the border Malaysia and
Thailand are able to speak Thai language. This code mixing occurs either in
formal or informal occasions. The places where code mixing is used, are seminars
or in an important meeting in the Government.
Other examples of code-mixing sentences used by Malaysian travellers in
Kuala Lumpur International Airport, such as;
11) “I nak tunggu my flight di McD lah.” (I would wait my flight at McD.).
12) “Please buy me secangkir kopi caramel macchiato di Starbucks!” (Please buy
a cup of caramel macchiato coffee at Starbucks for me!).
13) “Saya punya connecting flight ke Melbourne.” (I have a connecting flight to
Melbourne.).
14) “My pasport has been stamped di Imigresen Malaysia.” (My passport has
been stamped at Malaysian Immigration.).
15) “Bottle minuman saya has been confiscated at security check because its
dosage is more than 100 ml.” (My drinking bottle has been confiscated at
4. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
4.1 Conclusions
After analyzing of code-mixing used in Kuala Lumpur International
Airport, the writer gets some conclusions. Code-mixing is really used by airline
officers, information center desk officers and Malaysian travelers in Kuala
Lumpur International Airport.
1) Code-mixing is used in conversation between airline officers and Malaysian
travelers and it occurs on the subject, predicate and object, such as:
“Can you temankan I untuk hantarkan luggage-luggage ini to Lost and
Found counter?” (Can you accompany me to bring these luggages to Lost
and Found counter?)
“Apa you punya luggage?” (Do you have any luggage?)
“No lah. I nak bawa luggage kecil to cabin kapal terbang tu.”
“Permisi, miss. Can I have secangkir kopi panas?” (Excuse me, miss. Can I
have a cup of hot coffee?)
“Of course boleh lah. The price is only RM 7 and you will get sandwich
dengan percuma.” (Of course you can. The price is only RM 7 and you will
get free sandwich.)
2) Code-mixing is used in conversation between information center officers and
Malaysian travelers and it occurs on the subject, predicate and object, such as:
“Excuse me, I nak pergi to city in KL Sentral, apa saja transportation yang
25
like to go to city in KL Sentral, what transportations I can use and I want
the cheap fare.)
“Ada banyak transportation you boleh pakai. You boleh pakai bas yang
tambangnya RM 8 and you juga boleh pakai train which the fare as RM
80.” (There is much transportation you may use. You may take the bus
which the fare as RM 8 and you may also take the train which the fare as
RM 80.)
“You boleh ambil maps ini for your travel guide.” (You may take these
maps for your travel guide.)
“If you nak pergi to Salak Tinggi by train, at first you must pergi ke
Terminal 1 and then you boleh take train of KLIA Transit then stop at
stesen Salak Tinggi.” (If you want to go to Salak Tinggi by train, at first
you must go to Terminal 1 and then you may take train of KLIA Transit
then stop at Salak Tinggi station.)
3) Code-mixing is used in conversation of Malaysian travelers and it occurs on the
subject, predicate and object, such as:
“I suka makan makanan yang best dan sedap.” (I like eating the best and
delicious food.)
“How would you know where is the best restaurant untuk makan?” (How
would you know where is the best restaurant for eating?)
“I came to Bandung for jalan-jalan.” ( I came to Bandung for travelling.)
“Have you makan untuk lunch break ni?” (Have you taken a lunch on this
“Saya suka makan di restaurant tu because menunya sangat interesting.” (I
like having a lunch at that restaurant because the menu is very interesting.)
“Where are you working and kerja apa di sana?” (Where are you working
and what is your occupation there?)
4.2 Suggestions
Based on the conclusions above, the suggestions are as the following:
1) People who do code-mixing have to know that their interlocutors also
understand both languages which is code-mixed.
2) People who do code-mixing should not do code-mixing when their
interlocutors only understand one of languages they are speaking.
3) Code-mixing should be used for a good purpose like to add a little-understood
vocabulary and then it should be learned in order to understand who had not
previously been understood.
4) Code-mixing should be used if there are inappropriate words of the source
language that should be spoken, so it must be replaced into the target language.
5) Code-mixing may be used as a method of learning a language when someone
wants to master a language and then learn to speak the language though
sometimes have to do a code-mixing between the mother tongue and the
27
REFERENCES
Breadsmore, H. B. 1982. Bilingualism: Basic Principles. England: Tieto Ltd.
Dittmar, Nobert. 1976. Sociolinguistics. London: Edwar Arnold.
Fishman, J. A. 1972. The Sociology of Language. Rowley, Mass.: Newburry House.
Frank, Marcela. 1972. Modern English. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Holmes, Janet. 2001. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. New York: Longman.
Hornby, A.S. 2000. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Oxford: University Press.
Hymes, Dell. 1974. Foundation in Sociolinguistics. Philadelphia: The University of Pennsylvania Press Ltd.
Katamba, Francis. 1993. Modern Linguistics: Morphology. London: The Macmillan Press Ltd.
Nababan, P. W. J. 1984. Sosiolinguistik: Suatu Pengantar. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia.
Ohoiwutum, P. 1997. Sosiolinguistik. Jakarta: Visipro.
Singh, Shailendra Kumar. 2001. Multilingualism. New Delhi: Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University.
Siregar, Bahrein Umar. 1996. Code Alternation in Bilingual Speech Behavior.
Medan: Universitas Sumatera Utara Press.
APPENDIX
1) Sentences of verbal communication between airline officers and Malaysian
travelers are:
dengan percuma.” (Of course you can. The price is only RM 7 and you will
get free sandwich.)
2) Sentences of verbal communication between information center officers and
Malaysian travelers are:
(There is much transportation you may use. You may take the bus which the
29
Terminal 1 and then you may take train of KLIA Transit then stop at Salak
Tinggi station.)
3) Sentences of verbal communication of Malaysian travelers are:
a) “I suka makan makanan yang best dan sedap.” (I like eating the best and
delicious food.)
b) “How would you know where is the best restaurant untuk makan?” (How
would you know where is the best restaurant for eating?)
c) “I came to Bandung for jalan-jalan.” ( I came to Bandung for travelling.)
d) “Have you makan untuk lunch break ni?” (Have you taken a lunch on this
