Exploring Code-Mixing and Code-Switching in Bilingual English Speakers
Keywords:
Bilingualism, Code-Switching, Code-Mixing, Markedness Model, Conversational Interaction, English-Spanish, English-Urdu, SociolinguisticsAbstract
Code-switching and code-mixing are pervasive phenomena in bilingual communities, where speakers alternate languages within and across sentences. This study examines definitions, theoretical models, and empirical patterns of code-switching among English-other language bilinguals. Data from natural conversations, social media, and classroom interactions (e.g. English-Spanish, English-Urdu, English-Arabic contexts) were analyzed. We identify intersentential, intrasentential, and tag-switching types, and quantify their frequency across different settings. Figures illustrate bilingual speaker distributions and examples of mixed-language usage. Findings show intersentential switching often dominates in casual speech, while intrasentential mixing signals higher bilingual proficiency. Social factors (age, setting, speaker relationship) influence switching patterns. The results align with Gumperz’s interactional functions and Myers-Scotton’s Markedness Model of language choice. This study contributes to understanding how code-switching functions as a communicative strategy in bilingual English speakers.
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