Abstract
Code switching and code mixing are commonly used throughout the world. Both occur when two languages are used spontaneously in one clause or utterance. Code switching is also a complex process, which involves different levels of switching or mixing in accordance to with proficiency in the languages used. The aim of this paper is to explore the use of code switching and code mixing in South African languages, with the focus on African languages. The important question in this paper, is why do people code switch or code mix unconsciously? In my observations, there appears to be a general tendency to code switch or code mix irrespective of their education, age and culture. Types of code switching, such as the intersentential, intrasentential and extrasentential, will be discussed and also be substantiated with examples. The distinction between code switching and language alternation and the reasons as well as the causes of code switching will be discussed. Data, that was collected from my observations, as a researcher, will be analysed. Data has been extracted from my social and professional environments through the mediums of discourse and email correspondence with friends, colleagues and students of the University of South Africa. In this paper, the sole focus will be on orthographic code switching and code mixing. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n1p339
Highlights
Various definitions of codeThe term ‘code’ implies a variety of concepts and ideas, depending on the field that it is embedded in
Code switching is a powerful tool for communication between people
In the context of cryptography, a code is a method used to transform a message into an obscured form, preventing those not in on the secret from understanding what is transmitted (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 2010:273)
Summary
The term ‘code’ implies a variety of concepts and ideas, depending on the field that it is embedded in. In the context of cryptography, a code is a method used to transform a message into an obscured form, preventing those not in on the secret from understanding what is transmitted (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 2010:273). De Saussure emphasises that signs only acquire meaning and value when they are interpreted in relation to each other. He believed that interpreting signs requires familiarity with the set of conventions or codes currently used to communicate meaning. This usage, “code” typically stands for source code, and the verb ‘to code’ means to write source code to program (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 2010: 273)
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