Code-switching in language : an applied study

Abstract EN

It is obvious, but important fact that in addition to the communicative function of language there is the social function which explains the role that language plays in society.

This can be enlightened in sociolinguistics through code –switching . Code-switching, in which one single speaker uses different varieties in his speech, is one of the various speech situations of language-variation.

There are three types of CS :situational switching ,metaphorical switching and conversational switching.

This researcher concentrates on the last type since it suits the aim of the study .

Many studies have been conducted to deal with the question "why do bilinguals switch languages?" .There are functions and reasons behind switching from one code to another.

The theoretical part of the paper includes those functions after the explanation of language varieties and the mixture of these varieties.

The practical part includes a questionnaire given to twenty bilingual speakers and the analysis of their responses has shown that most of the functions given by them are almost similar to those which have been discussed in the theoretical part.

However, the participants have explained some different reasons behind their change of language during their speech, such as to show off or to attract the attention or the interest of others and other reasons.