Code Switching
or
Switching Code
???
Today I have
seen Mr. Phil’s post called “Code switching”. And I started thinking about the
difference between terms “Code switching” and “Switching code”, because both
terms are widely used in the scientific world. So… Is there any difference???
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| http://maglomaniac.com/experiences-code-switching-defragmenting/ |
In order to
answer this question I consulted different scholars. One of the widely
recognized experts in this field was, and still is, David Crystal. He suggests
that code, or language, switching occurs when an individual who is bilingual
alternates between two languages during his/her speech with another bilingual
person (Crystal, 1987). A person who is bilingual may be said to be one who is
able to communicate, to varying extents, in a second language. This includes
those who make irregular use of a second language, who are able to use a second
language or those who have considerable skill in a second language. In this
way, I can conclude that no matter whether it is “Code switching” or “Switching
code”, both phenomena occur only in bilingual environment. In our case,
Kazakhstan perfectly fits this requirement.
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| http://rlv.zcache.com/bilingual_brain_bilingual_heart |
Unfortunately, none
of the authors could provide a clear distinction between these two terms.
However, I have noticed (after reading plenty of papers) that mostly “Switching
code” was used in the situations where the coexistence of two phonetic systems
occurs (in terms of stress, rhythm, intonation, etc. – everything that is
connected to phonetics). For example, Fano (1950) defines “switching code” as a
strictly psychological phenomenon consisting of altering one’s internal
mechanism for the identification of phonetic symbols. No surprise that
“Switching code” mostly appeared in the early scholarly papers while “Code
switching” started to be widely used only during the last decades.
Interestingly
that “Code switching” is the alternation not only of languages, as many people
suppose it to be, but also of dialects, styles, prosodic registers,
paralinguistic cues, which are described by Gumperz (1982, 1992) as a “contextualization”
process. Nowadays the term “Code switching” is becoming more popular than
“Switching code”. Moreover, it (“Code switching”) “sponged” the original
meaning of “Switching code” and became the dominant term by creating different
levels (grammatical, lexical, orthographical) which include phonological level
as well (Berthold, Mangubhai & Batorowicz, 1997). This is the reason why
people started using the term “phonological code switching” instead of
“switching code”.
In addition, I
would like to share with 5 most common reasons for “code switching” (Zentella,
1985):
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| https://melonbloggers.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/bilingual-brain.jpg |
First, people
may use code-switching to hide fluency or memory problems in the second
language (but this accounts for about only 10 percent of code switches).
Second, code switching
is used to mark switching from informal situations (using native languages) to
formal situations (using second language).
Third, code switching
is used to exert control, especially between parents and children.
Fourth, code switching
is used to align speakers with others in specific situations (e.g., defining
oneself as a member of an ethnic group).
Fifth, code switching
also 'functions to announce specific identities, create certain meanings, and
facilitate particular interpersonal relationships' (Johnson, 2000, p.
184)."
And how often do
you switch???
Reference:
Berthold, M., Mangubhai, F., & Batorowicz,
K. (1997). Bilingualism & multiculturalism: study book. Distance
Education Centre, University of Southern Queensland: Toowoomba, QLD.
Crystal, D.
(1987). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of
Language. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.
Fano, R. (1950).
The information theory point of view in speech communication. Journal of the Acoustical Society of
America, 22(6), 691-696.
Gumperz,
J. (1992). Contextualization and understanding. In A. Duranti & C. Goodwin
(Eds.), Rethinking context: Language as
an interactive phenomenon (pp.229-252). Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Gumpetz, J. (1982).
Discourse strategies. Cambridge
University Press: Cambridge.
Johnson, R. (2000).
A triarchic model of P300 amplitude. Psychophysiology, 23, 367–384.
Zentella, A. (1985). Spanish and English in
contact in the US: The Puerto Rican experience. In E. Chang Rodriguez (Ed.),
The Spanish Language in the Western Hemisphere (pp.41-57). Boulder: University
of Colorado.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDear Aliya Mustafina,
ReplyDeleteIt seems realistic that the term "code switching" is more popular than "switching code". But I believe that code switching can occur not only in bilingual but also in multilingual environments. As for the cases of the practical usage of code switching mainly it refers to a case when a bilingual or multilingual person unconsciously using some words of one language while the speech in another language. Your first reason of its usage fits more, "to hide fluency or memory problems in the second language". Overall, code switching is common in our case with Shala Kazakh. My question to you: do you believe that Shala Kazakh is merely code switching Russian words in Kazakh or is it a kind of pidgin?
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDear Asha,
DeleteThank you for your comment. I fully agree with your point of view about "multilingual environment". I know that I am not an expert in this filed (more than likely, you are proficient in such questions due to your major). The case was not in the point that "code switching" refers only to "bilingualism", the key fact was that the environment must be at least "bilingual", because in "monolingualism" this phenomenon will never take place. What I wanted to say was that a person should know more than one language! And, also, I just tried to rely on literature where many scholars mentioned bilingual people, not multilingual ones... Sorry=))) But, I do really believe that in the future you and your group mates will be those scholars who will publish papers where you will prove that "code switching" happens in multilingual environments too (and Kazakhstan will be taken as a perfect example).
As for your question about Shala Kazakh... Again, I am not an expert in this... but what I think is that Shala Kazakh fully complies with the requirements of "code switching" concept. That is why Shala Kazakh can be considered to be one of the specific types of code switching... As far as I know, "pidgin" is also a mixture of two languages, often Chinese and English. But if you mean that this language is some kind of "broken" language, I would say that the situation with Shala Kazakh is not in so deplorable (sad) state. I would not refer it to "pidgin".
Kind regards,
Aliya)))
Dear Asha,
DeleteYou brought up an interesting question! Now Shala-Kazakh is on the stage of being a mixed version of two languages, i.e. code-switching of Kazakh and Russian. It is definitely not a pidgin. As Yule (2010) states, “a pidgin is a variety of a language that developed for some practical purpose, such as trading, among groups of people who had a lot of contact, but who did not know each other’s languages” (p.247). For example, Krio language which is now a lingua franca of Sierra Leone was originated because of slave trade between Europeans and Africans. When it comes to Shala-Kazakh, the situation is absolutely different. It did not emanate from difficulties of trade or business between Kazakh and Russian. Instead, Kazakh people were imposed to learn Russian, thus two nations could communicate without any problems in Russian. Since Kazakh could not progress properly during the Soviet times, some people feel difficulties while they speak in Kazakh, thus they add Russian words and endings in their speech. All this switching between languages led now to what we call Shala-Kazakh.
Dear Aliya,
ReplyDeleteundoubtedly, Kazakhstani citizens are frequent users of code - switching between Kazakh and Russian languages in general. However, Kazakhstani society consists of different communities where use of code - switching languages might differ. For instance, NU or any other university with English language as a medium of instruction more often switches between English and another language of communication. Moreover, there are many other communities where not only 2 or 3 languages are predominant, but 4 and more. Don't you think that "code - switching" might also lead to lack of proficiency in languages and threat to a plurilingual speaker?
Dear Arailym,
DeleteThank you for your comment =) Yes, I fully agree that in Kazakhstan "code-switching" happens not only between Russian and Kazakh. But, you see, for the majority of the population these languages are the most common (in use). There are more than 100 different nationalities in Kazakhstan, and every single nationality has a right to speak its native language, which means that the examples of code-switching in Kazakhstani context can expand the number of nationalities living here. I did not mention the small communities because I thought that the medium of instruction is a temporary condition. I was interested only in those cases where this code-switching takes place for a very long period of time.
As for your question about the lack of proficiency in languages and the threat to a plurilingualism... I do really believe that everything depends on the politics and the government's control. If the analyses show that there is a threat, the government should take the weal and do its best in order not to let the situation become worse... preventing the disaster. Moreover, I think that nothing like this can happen in the community where educated and smart citizens live. Our obligation is to save the national language which reflects our national identity... Otherwise, the nation will disappear.
Dear Mariya Ab,
ReplyDeleteIt is true that it is something developed from the Soviet Past. However, nobody knows for sure if the future of Shala-Kazakh turn into pidgin. There are possibilities of Shala-Kazakh becoming a pidgin. Interesting fact about Shala-Kazakh, which we discussed during our lesson with Bridget, is that Shala-Kazakh is only referred to Kazakh people. People of other ethnicities are not percieved as Shala speakers even if they speak in unclear Kazakh. The reason of course derives from the word combination itself that literally means "half-Kazakh", 50 % Kazakh. If we consider the demographic fact that Kazakh represent the majority in Kazakhstan, and the growth of Shala-Kazakh people, why cannot we see the possibility of Shala-Kazakh as a pidgin?
Being honest, I heard at the first time about code-switching when you did presentation (but I do not remember in what course).
ReplyDeleteAccidently, my thesis topic also includes this phenomenon, when teachers use the technique while conducting integrated learning in classes. For example, if geography is taught through a foreign language of instruction, code switching technique would be appropriate to conduct. Explanations of some terms could be translated in a mother tongue, to ensure that difficult terminology had been clearly understood. Personally, I also switch words from Kazakh to Russian or vice versa and find it helpful to explicitly communicate.
Unfortunately Kazakh people in Kazakhstan use code switching mostly in the first case; I am one of them. We got used to referring to code switching so much that sometimes do not even realize using two different languages simultaneously. It might be harnful for one language whereas useful for another. In our case, Russian language is sued more and more, which decreases the demand in learning or fluencing the Kazakh language knowledge. Why not to use both languages instead of losing time and enhancing Kazakh if only several people talk fluently (or only) in Kazakh? Do you think this might a shortcoming of code switching?
ReplyDeleteDear Malika,
DeleteTo tell the truth, I did not expect to hear such words from you... You are the person who impersonates the REAL KAZAKH for me. I think that Shala-Kazakh is the phenomenon which takes place only during the transitional periods... You see, in the past it happened when we had to shift from Kazakh legacy to Russian one, because we had to take Russia's patriality. Now, because of the same thing... we finally got rid of this patriality. This phenomenon can be a temporary thing... And I do not agree that we should use both languages and forget about the purity... The language falls under deformations anyway... we cannot let ourselves adopt a laissez-faire attitude. Let's stay optimistic and do everything for the two languages' future, separate pure future.
Sorry for disappointing you. There is a good Kazakh proverb "Мақтаған қыз тойда бүлдіреді" (Glamorized girl blows off on the wedding). Promise to work on using merely Kazakh.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great discussion on a fascinating topic. I also tend to code switch with my wife, and I can't fully understand why I choose to switch when I do. One interesting thing I have noticed, especially as an English teacher, is how my exposure to Russian and Russian-influenced English mistakes have caused me to make some similar mistakes. Usually they are just odd word choice issues: drink a pill (instead of take one), feel a smell (just smell), specializations in university (majors in college). Our brains perform so many functions that we barely understand. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteThis topic is likely to be favourite one of MA students =). Thank you for the post!
ReplyDeleteSome people associate code-switching with an insufficient proficiency in one of the languages. That’s why, switching from one language to another can have a negative effect on language development and cognitive growth of a person. However, no one can learn a foreign without code-switching, and I think that it is an automatical process of our brain. In the multilingual settings, code-switching does not have a negative impact, because it may help students to learn effectively the target language. Teachers usually switch languages for comprehension purposes, i.e. to clarify a specific vocabulary or to explain a complicated concept. Whatever effect code-switching can have it may be considered as a crucial element of the bilingual/multilingual community.
Thank you, for such plenty discussion!I agree with Almazhay, code-switching is the normal process during the acquiring foreign language. During the investigation the issue of Shala Kazakh for Bridget class, we have realized that code switching or code-mixing (mixing words from one language with the help of another languages grammatical structure) is the obsoletely normal and natural process. Even such code-switchings as Surzhik(Russian& Ukrainian), Trozyanka(Russian& Belarussian) and Shala-Kazakh which have negative connotations in society should be accepted as natural process as I mentioned before:)
DeleteAliya,
ReplyDeleteI liked you post... Answering your question, I think I do use code switching for all these five reasons...
Though, I understand the importance of using one language only while speaking,,, But there are some cases, for instance, in presence of other people who do not understand the language I am speaking, I need to switch to the language that everyone understands in order not to offend the feelings of others. Another example is that, it especially frequently happens, when I need to explain what I am studying now, hard to explain the specifics, terms and notions in Kazakh or Russian, because we study in English and I, personally, do not always translate them in order to understand.
Great post, Aliya!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, code switching is widely used approach in communication in our society.
The first thing that came to my mind after reading your post was my school years. I used to study in Kazakh-Turkish School where natural sciences subjects as well as English were taught in english, and humanitarian subjects were taught in Kazakh or Russian, half of teachers were Turks and students of both Kazakh-language instruction classes and Russian-language instruction classes studied together. So imagine what a generous code switching was used among these four languages especially in 7th and 8th grades when we were learning English and Turkish. Usually we switched between languages as a lack of fluency in one specific language. Moreover, we did so to communicate with Turk teachers. Even though it usually happens unconsciously, I would avoid using code switching as it hinders good speaking and thinking skills in one language.