CHAPTER 3 DIGLOSIA, CODE SWITCHING AND CODE MIXING,
B. Code switching
Code-switching is when a speaker switches between two or more languages (or dialects or varieties of languages) in one conversation so, code- switching is a term in sociolinguistics that refers to the use of more than one language or language variation in conversation. Sometimes bilingual speakers get into trouble when they have conversations with other bilinguals so that they switch their language from one code to another in sentence construction to make the other person understand, sometimes they do it with the same language background and may do it many times. Code-switching is an alternative way to be bilingual from two or more languages in a language in the same conversation.
Hymes (1974) defines code-switching as “a general term for alternatives” use of two or more languages, variety of languages or even styles of speech” while Bokamba (1989) defines code-switching as a mixture of words, phrases, and sentences of two different grammatical systems (sub) and can cross sentence boundaries in the same speech event. In the classroom, when the teacher teaches a foreign language, code-switching also becomes the main strategy in learning to develop students' ability in speaking English. At the first meeting, teachers use the target language when they explain the material and then they switch again to Indonesia to ensure the material previously explained is understood by students. Students use target language as much as possible but return to their mother tongue for any element of utterances that they cannot produce in the target language.
The benefits of code-switching in sociolinguistics include being able to communicate solidarity or affiliation with certain social groups so that code- switching can be seen as a means to provide linguistic advantages rather than barriers in communication. Furthermore, code-switching allows a speaker to be able to convey more nuanced attitudes and emotions by choosing from the larger set of words available to a bilingual person, such as how one might use the font, bold, or underline in a text document to emphasize a point. Utilizing a second language, then, allows speakers to improve their language skills and use them more effectively.
1. Code switching in speech
The ability to communicate one's thoughts, emotions, and opinions to others is truly an extraordinary skill. Our language not only communicates
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who we are to others, but our use of language can influence our self-concept and identity. This will go both ways in that cultural influences are reflected in our language and can also influence how we conceptualize who we are and where we come from. (Social aspects of language are studied by sociolinguistics, the subdivision of linguistics that studies social factors).
The bilingual community uses certain strategies to make communication more effective and meaningful. One of these tricks is "code-switching", which we can mostly observe in second or foreign language classes. Code-switching refers to the use of two languages in one sentence. This is a natural amalgamation that often occurs between multilingual speakers who share two languages and communicate with each other.
2. Who uses code Switching?
Code switching occurs a lot in a bilingual society. Speakers of more than one language are known for their ability to code-switch to mix up their language during their communication. As Aranoff and Miller (2003:523) point out, many linguists have emphasized the point that switching between languages is a communicative option available to bilingual members of a speech community, just as switching between styles or dialects is an option for monolinguals within a speaker.
3. The Term "code Switching" refer only to speech?
Since its inception, the term "code-switching" has been broadened to encompass any situation in which speakers find themselves in which they can switch from one accepted vocabulary, rhythm, style, or set of rules to another.
For example, you might talk to a potential employer differently than you would a close friend, so you can switch from casual to professional language in certain situations. Another example is how many African Americans describe playing different roles in different settings and with different microcultures and talk about how they have to be very careful to speak academic vocabulary and rhythm in their every interaction with police officers.
4. What is the reasons speakers use code switching?
There are several possible reasons for switching from one language to another; three are described namely:
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❖ 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 in that elevator who do not speak Spanish be excluded from the conversation but also a degree of comfort and intimacy would be established between the Spanish-speakers because not all those present in the elevator can listen to their conversation
5. What code switching as a language interference?
In certain settings, code-switching may be a hindrance to communication rather than a help. In the classroom, for example, code- switching can be seen as a language disorder because it can hinder learning.
Although students may view code-switching as an acceptable form of communication in society and may feel comfortable switching languages in normal conversation, in some other settings, this type of communication will be detrimental to those who are not bilingual as they will be unable to understand. Therefore, code-switching can be useful as well as a language disorder depending on the situation and context in which it occurs. Sometimes a speaker switches from one language to another by accident, but in many situations, code-switching is done intentionally to create unity or exclude someone from a conversation. This is seen as a sign of solidarity within a group, and it is also assumed that all speakers in a conversation must be bilingual for code-switching to occur. Bilinguals do not usually translate from a weaker language to a stronger language.
74 6. Types of Code Switching
There are three types of code switching namely:
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, işe alınmazsın.
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 coğu zaman because you spend a lot of salt in your bed. Different types of switches occur within the clause level and the word level.
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: "Él es de Oaxaca y así los criaron a ellos, 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.