A discourse‐analytic approach to the use of English in Cypriot Greek conversations

Abstract

The use of English in Cypriot Greek has been a highly contested issue, involving much speculation and prescription but, as yet, little analysis of actual data. This study is a preliminary exploration of the issue, focusing on extensive data from informal conversations between members of a Limassol family. The analysis suggests that instances of language alternation can be accounted for in terms of discourse analytic categories such as the distinction between local and global phenomena and the tri‐partite scheme of ideational, interpersonal and sequential functions. The presence of English in Cypriot Greek conversations covers a wide range, from local borrowing to stereotypical sequential or more complex interpersonal and sequential phenomena, and cannot be effectively separated from the role that language alternation plays in speci ?c textual and contextual settings. The discussion suggests that a discourse analytic approach is an indispensable means of studying language alternation phenomena.