Code-Switching between Arabic and English in Selected Egyptian Talk Shows: A Sociolinguistic Study

Abstract

The present study examines Arabic-English Code-Switching as a persuasive strategy in selected Egyptian talk shows. The sample of the current study contains 17 recordings taken from 15 talk shows broadcast on different Egyptian TV channels between August 2014 and December 2017. This study investigates the patterns of Code-Switching that occur within the speech of the participants in the Egyptian talk shows. In addition, it sheds light on the persuasive techniques adopted by the interlocutors. Finally, it examines the sociolinguistic factors that might affect the participants' code-switched utterances. The findings of the study reveal that three main types of Code-Switching are employed in the Egyptian talk shows, namely; intra-sentential, inter-sentential and tag Code-Switching. Intra-sentential Code-Switching is utilized for 363 times with the percentage of 91.9%. Followed by inter-sentential Code-Switching with 20 examples with the percentage of 5.1%. Tag Code-Switching is adopted for 12 times with the percentage of 3%. In addition, the analysis concludes that a variety of persuasive techniques are employed by the participants in the Egyptian talk shows while switching codes. Such strategies include repetition, jargon, narration, analogy, cliche, humor, emotion, intertextuality, evidence, fear, cognitive dissonance and Monroe’s motivated sequence. Finally, the results show that a number of sociolinguistic factors might affect the code-switched utterances of the participants in the Egyptian talk shows. Such variables are; education, occupation, social class, gender, age, religion and ethnicity. Key words: Code-Switching, talk shows, persuasive techniques.