Code switching, Code mixing, and BORROWING
Code switching, Code mixing, and BORROWING
Code switching, Code mixing, and BORROWING
The inevitable consequence of bilingualism (or, more generally, multilingualism). Anyone who speaks more
than one language chooses between them according to circumstances. speakers choose a language which the
other person can understand.
Community: In community multilingualism the different languages are always used in different
circumstances, and the choice is always controlled by social rules. Typically, one language is reserved
exclusively for use at home, and another is used in the wider community. Because of this linguistic division of
labor, each individual could expect to switch codes (i.e. languages) several times in a day.
1) SITUATIONAL code switching: because the switches between languages always coincide with
changes from one external situation. The choice of language is controlled by rules, which members of
the community learn from their experience, so these rules are part of their total linguistic knowledge. (a)
Each language also symbolizes that community. (b) Each language has a social function.
2) METAPHORICAL CODE-SWITCHING: In clear cases, we can tell what situation we are in just by
looking around us; for example, if we are in a lecture-room full of people, or having breakfast with
our family, classifying the situation is easy, and if language choice varies with the situation, it is clearly
the situation that decides the language, not the other way round. But in some cases, the situation is
less clear, either because it is ambiguous or because the speaker decides to ignore the observable
external situation and focus instead on less observable characteristics of the people concerned. Such
cases, where it is the choice of language that determines the situation, are called METAPHORICAL
CODE-SWITCHING.
(R.A. HUDSON, Sociolinguistics)
METHAPORICAL code switching, where a variety normally used only in one kind of situation is
used in different kind because the topic is the short which would normally arise in the first kind of
situation. (Baku, introduction to sociolinguistics)
• Bilingual code-switching is meaningful: it ful! ls certain functions in an interaction.
• A speaker’s choice of language has to do with maintaining, or negotiating, a certain type of social identity in
relation to others; code-switching between languages allows speakers (simultaneous) access to different social
identities.
• Particular switches may be meaningful; but also, the act of code-switching itself may be meaningful.
• Code-switching may be an unmarked, or expected choice, or a marked, or unexpected choice; in this latter
case, it may function as an attempt to initiate a change to relationships.
• Code-switching is useful in cases of uncertainty about relationships: it allows speakers to feel their way and
negotiate identities in relation to others. (Mesthrie rajend etal, introducing sociolinguistics)
Code-mixing:
There are some cases, where a fluent bilingual talking to another fluent bilingual changes' language without any
change at all in the situation. This kind of alternation is called code mixing (or CONVERSATIONAL CODE-
SWITCHING, a rather unhelpful name). The purpose of code-mixing seems to be to symbolize a somewhat
ambiguous situation for which neither language on its own would be quite right. To get the right effect the
speakers balance the two languages against each other as a kind of linguistic cocktail - a few words of one
language, then a few words of the other, then back to the first for a few more words and so on. what syntactic
constraints apply to it? There is no doubt that there are syntactic constraints; people who belong to code-
mixing communities can judge whether particular constructed code-mixed examples are permitted or not. (R.A.
HUDSON, Sociolinguistics)
Code-Switching
Pros:
• Code-switching can serve as an effective pedagogical tool in educational settings, particularly in English
as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. It allows teachers to clarify complex concepts, making learning more
accessible for students who may struggle with the target language (Bhatti et al., 2018).
• Furthermore, it can enhance social bonding among speakers, as switching languages can signal shared
identity and cultural affiliation (Sasongko, 2023).
• This practice can also facilitate smoother communication in multilingual environments, allowing
speakers to express themselves more fully and accurately by drawing on their entire linguistic repertoire (Bhatti
et al., 2018).
Cons:
• On the downside, excessive code-switching may hinder language acquisition, particularly if learners rely
too heavily on their first language (L1) instead of engaging with the target language (L2) (Sasongko, 2023).
• Critics argue that it can create confusion and disrupt the flow of conversation, especially for
interlocutors who may not be proficient in both languages (Nurhamidah et al., 2018).
• Additionally, it may reinforce language hierarchies, where one language is perceived as superior,
potentially marginalizing speakers of less dominant languages (Sasongko, 2023).
Code-Mixing
Pros:
• Code-mixing, which involves the blending of languages within sentences, can enrich communication by
allowing speakers to convey nuanced meanings that may not be easily expressed in one language alone (Quick
& Hartmann, 2021).
• This practice can also reflect the dynamic nature of language and identity, showcasing the fluidity of
cultural boundaries in multilingual contexts (Quick & Hartmann, 2021).
• In educational settings, code-mixing can facilitate understanding by providing immediate contextual
cues that help learners grasp new vocabulary and concepts (Fennema-Bloom, 2010).
Cons:
• However, code-mixing can lead to linguistic purism concerns, where the integrity of a language is
perceived to be compromised (Paradis et al., 2000).
• It may also create barriers for speakers who are not familiar with both languages, leading to
misunderstandings and communication breakdowns (Quick & Hartmann, 2021).
• Furthermore, in formal contexts, code-mixing may be viewed as unprofessional or inappropriate,
potentially affecting the speaker's credibility (Fennema-Bloom, 2010).
Borrowing
Pros:
• Borrowing, the process of incorporating words or phrases from one language into another, can enhance
the richness of a language and facilitate communication by providing terms for concepts that may not exist in
the borrowing language (Chojimah, 2021).
• This linguistic exchange can also reflect cultural influences and promote cross-cultural understanding
(Chojimah, 2021).
• In many cases, borrowed terms become fully integrated into the recipient language, enriching its
vocabulary and expressive capacity (Ahn, 2018).
Cons:
• On the other hand, borrowing can lead to language erosion, where the original language may lose its
unique vocabulary and expressions as speakers increasingly rely on borrowed terms (Chojimah, 2021).
• Additionally, the overuse of borrowed words can create a sense of linguistic elitism, where speakers of
the original language may feel alienated or marginalized (Ahn, 2018). Furthermore, the adaptation of borrowed
terms may not always align with the phonological and grammatical rules of the recipient language, leading to
confusion and miscommunication (Sayakhova, 2021).
In conclusion, while code-switching, code-mixing, and borrowing each offer unique advantages in facilitating
communication and enriching language, they also present challenges that can impact language learning, cultural
identity, and social dynamics. A balanced approach that recognizes the contexts and purposes of these practices
can help maximize their benefits while mitigating potential drawbacks.
Function of Code-Switching: Emphasize on something. Social function: to establish solidarity and align with
a group. Express identity.
Function of Code-Mixing: Erase of expression. Prestige. Contextual reference.
Function of Borrowing: Lexical gap. Cultural gap.