Code switching as an identity marker among Algerian bilinguals : a sociolinguistic investigation of Arabic-English speakers

Abstract EN

Language is assumed to be related to human species as it is used to communicate, express one's thoughts, ideas, and emotions.

Yet, no language exists on its own, individuals have the ability to learn more than one language and this, of course, results different products.

The present research paper tackles one of language contact outcomes that is code switching.

Actually, it is considered as a language resource that individuals use to express, negotiate, and construct their social identities.

In this research, a semi-ethnographic study was used to collect the necessary data and to attain research objectives.

Both observation and audio-recordings were applied on a sample of eight participants.

The data were analysed qualitatively in order to explore the function of CS and its contribution to identity construction.

The findings reveal that alternating codes has a significant role in bilingual speech and has an indexical meaning.

Second, it has been demonstrated that such a phenomenon is intentionally used by Algerian English speakers as the target language has more power, and it is strongly related to speech goals and identity related-issues.

Thus, the present research work is a contribution to literature concerning code switching as an identity marker.