SOCIOLIN GUI S TI C / M ULTILINGUA LI SM

SOCIOLINGUISTICS / MULTILINGUALISM
Code Switching and Code Mixing
SOCIOLIN GUI S TI C / M ULTILINGUA LI SM Objectives

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

 State what code switching and code mixing are all about

 Differentiate between the concepts of code switching and code mixing

 Identify the factors responsible for them

 Name the countries with high code-switching and code-mixing

 Recognise that code-switching and code-mixing are important

sociolinguistic paradigms

Reference;
National Open University(NOUN), 2012, ENG355 Introduction to Sociolinguistics
SOCIOLIN GUI S TI C / M ULTILINGUA LI SM Introduction

In this lesson, we will study about the concepts of code switching and code mixing in sociolinguistics. Both

concepts talk about the use of different language codes in speech. These concepts have been of great concern

to sociolinguists because of their effects in the language use in societies. Many people speak and switch or

mix their general use of language with their mother tongues, especially in communicating with people who

understand the different codes they use in a given social situation. We will differentiate the concepts

properly and take a look at countries with high code switching and code mixing characteristics.

Reference;
National Open University(NOUN), 2012, ENG355 Introduction to Sociolinguistics
SOCIOLIN GUI S TI C / M ULTILINGUA LI SM The Concept Code Mixing

Code-mixing refers to any admixture of linguistic elements of two or more language systems in the same utterance
at various levels: phonological, lexical, grammatical and orthographical.

• It is the change of one language to another within the same utterance or in the same
oral/ written text.
• It may be more adequately seen as occurring as a kind of intra sentential switching.
• It may also be reflective of the frequency with which an individual uses particular
expressions from one or the other language in his/her daily communications

Summarily code mixing means the blending of two separate linguistic systems into one linguistic system.
Studies of code mixing enhance our understanding of the nature, processes and constraints of language and of
the relationship between language use and individual values, communicative strategies, language attitudes and
functions within particular socio-cultural contexts

Reference;
National Open University(NOUN), 2012, ENG355 Introduction to Sociolinguistics
SOCIOLIN GUI S T I C / M ULT ILINGUA LI SM Understanding Code Switching

Code switching involves the movement, whether psychologically or sociologically motivated, from one discrete code
(language or dialect) to another within a communicative event.

Code-switching is a term in linguistics that refers to the use of more than one language or variety in conversation.

Code-switching can occur between most contemporary scholars consider code-switching to

Social Motivation For Switching

Immediate discourse factors such as lexical need and the topic and setting of the discussion, may influences
code switching and mixing and on more distant factors such as speaker or group identity, and relationship-
building (solidarity) could be the reason for change.

Reference;
National Open University(NOUN), 2012, ENG355 Introduction to Sociolinguistics
SOCIOLIN GUI S TI C / M ULTILINGUA LI SM The Differences Between Code Mixing and Code Switching

Code Mixing Code switching

It is the blending of two separate linguistic systems into one It involves the movement, whether psychologically or
linguistic system. sociologically motivated, from one discrete code (language or
dialect) to another within a communicative event.

code mixing may be more adequately seen as occurring as a kind where code-switching more readily describes the phenomenon
of intra sentential switching that occurs at the inter-sentential level of linguistic usage.

It may be used for various reasons, including filling lexical gaps, Often driven by social, pragmatic, or communicative needs, such
expressing creativity, or reflecting cultural influences as adjusting to different audiences

Code switching labelled as “unmarked” or “smooth switching” occurs frequently and is considered an accepted switch between languages. Code mixing is not considered that way.
Unmarked language switches conforms to the communities language and social norms. Marked switches are in direct opposition of pre-established language and social norms and
as a result social distance is created between the community and the individual who made the marked language choice.

Reference;
National Open University(NOUN), 2012, ENG355 Introduction to Sociolinguistics
SOCIOLIN GUI S TI C / M ULTILINGUA LI SM

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