Code-switching between Arabic and English by Iraqi speakers living in the United States of America

Abstract EN

As a bilingual doctoral student lived in the United States for more than four years, it was noticed that a particular shift between languages happens frequently.

Such interchange in speech is known as code-switching (CS).

CS from Arabic to English or from English to Arabic was occurring in conversations with Iraqi students, friends, and families.

The present study followed a qualitative method, utilizing data from interviews, and observations obtained from four bilingual Iraqi families who were living in the United States.

The study presented an analysis of Arabic-English and English-Arabic CS existing in bilingual social surroundings.

The reasons together with the factors of CS in this population are discussed.

In addition, the study addressed the motivations, and values that impact the phenomenon of CS among these families.

The findings of this study revealed that the main reasons behind CS are identity, emotion, and the absence of equivalence of specific words.