Code-Switching and Bilingualism in French Guiana: Exploring Influences Between French Creole and Standard French

Abstract

The paper focuses on detailing the reasons and effects of code-switching and bilingualism in French Guiana. The primary focus is on analyzing the patterns of code-switching between two dominant languages in the region: The commonly known French Creole and Standard French, which are, furthermore, one of the many, different languages. Using the mixed-methods approach that is based on both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study attempts to find the various social, cultural and linguistic factors that make bilingualism in this very particular sociolinguistic setting feasible. French Guiana being different from other countries as it has different cultures and having different languages coming from different sources. It is the clashing of French Creole and Standard French that points to the history, the social-political dimension and the culture that define the language in this region. Through detailed research of the code-switching in this case study, the aim is to gain a nuanced perception of the intricacies of bilingual communication. The innovative method adapted in the study provides overall understanding of the code-switching patterns applied. Statistical analysis will help us understand code-switching patterns, distribution, while qualitative analysis will give us social and cultural reasons of switching to another language. The effects of the study have made us face the role of language, identity and social conditions. These links affect different disciplines particularly language matters and education. From this study, we will derive such insights that will aid in the making of inclusive policies that will adapt to the diverse linguistic practices. Students attending these schools also benefit from applying the data to their language development programs, those taking into account the multilingual nature of their environments. For example, the study’s conclusion that multilingualism is favorable paves the way for other researchers to come up with more studies on multilingualism. The research undertaken has provided the foundation for further studies to be carried out in relation to the villi context in linguistic studies that will be carried out to identify the same phenomenon in other sociolinguistic contexts. Typically, the outcomes of a this study direct a more general view into dilemmas of dual language and code changing.