#codeswitching also has many purposes besides efficiency. A great study by Bhatt&Bolonyai(2011) studied a ton of code-switches in 3 lang communities and identified 5 principles that they fell into. I'll talk a little about each in this thread:
1. FAITHFULNESS: Sometimes a word is more precise or specific in one language when compared to another.
This can be a cultural reference, geographic, or just a more efficient word/phrase
This can be a cultural reference, geographic, or just a more efficient word/phrase
2. SOLIDARITY: Code-switching in certain contexts can promote solidarity, especially amongst in group members or when establishing relationships
3. POWER: Someone can code-switch (usually into a dominant lang) when they want to assert power over someone else or make a conversation more "official".
I've seen parents switch to a dominant lang to scold children, for example.
I've seen parents switch to a dominant lang to scold children, for example.
4. FACE: Usually a switch to portray respect, deference, or politeness. Can sometimes be used to soften a request or say something negative about someone.
For example, I hear someone say "It's that woman in the red shirt and jeans, la gordita (chubby)"
For example, I hear someone say "It's that woman in the red shirt and jeans, la gordita (chubby)"
5. PERSPECTIVE: Typically used when storytelling or quoting something that happened to help preserve the message or feeling of the event
Comment if you have an example of any of these and I'll post some examples soon for us to examine!
Comment if you have an example of any of these and I'll post some examples soon for us to examine!
