Abstract
Researches on code-switching in the past have a concentration on the verbal language, few on its written form. This study attempts to cover and analyze the notion of code-switching in electronic contexts. The objective of this study is to discuss the code-switching functions performed by Arabic-English bilingual users in their Facebook interactions. The data of this study were collected from status updates posted by the bilingual users on their Facebook wall. They were classified and analyzed according to the functions they served in the Facebook context. Findings indicate that code switching occurs in online interaction to serve addressee specification, reiteration, message qualification, clarification, emphasis, checking, indicating emotions, availability, principle of economy and free switching functions. This study hopes to provide insights on the code-switching phenomenon in Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC). Additionally, the findings of this study will be of value for the development of code-switching studies in the socio linguistic area.
Highlights
Ever since the idea of its existence, the concept of code-switching has influenced and encouraged the emergence of various research areas that are highly relevant in the field of Bilingualism
The objective of this study is to discuss the code-switching functions performed by Arabic-English bilingual users in their Facebook interactions
Findings indicate that code switching occurs in online interaction to serve addressee specification, reiteration, message qualification, clarification, emphasis, checking, indicating emotions, availability, principle of economy and free switching functions
Summary
Ever since the idea of its existence, the concept of code-switching has influenced and encouraged the emergence of various research areas that are highly relevant in the field of Bilingualism. Educators have looked into areas related to the types of code-switching and its social roles, the different patterns of code-switching amongst children and adults, as well as the different reasons that encourage the occurrence of code-switching in speech All these different studies and researches have suggested various definitions to what code-switching can be referred to. Code-switching is defined as a combination of words, phrases and sentences that result from sentence limitations in similar speech context Based on these definitions, it can be deduced that code-switching in general can be regarded as the act of speaking in different languages interchangeably in order to overcome language constraints, to deliver speeches effectively and most importantly as a crucial step towards achieving successful communication
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