Code Switching Flashcards
Billingualism
strict: Native like fluency in two or more languages
loose: Common human condition that makes it possible to function at some level in more than one language. Same as Multilingualism for our purposes
Code
Any language or variety of a language. Every variety is a code. Must choose appropriate code for appropriate situation.
Multilingual Societies:
Social context determines language choice. To be socially competent you must know who uses what when and for what purpose.
Typical interactions:
5 typical domains
Home, education, employment, religion, friendship
Who created the 5 domains?
Joshua Fishman
Bilingualism may lead to:
- Language loss
- Language Diffustion
ex. the Balkans, Sri Lanka, Southern India
Who created the original definition of Diglossia?
Charles Ferguson
Language Loss
bilingualism
Immigrant groups usually only keep up bilingualism for one generation
Language Diffusion
bilingualism
Certain features spread from one language to another.
Easiest: Phonology, Morphology, Syntax :Difficult
Original Definition of diglossia
- Two varieties of the same L in the community H and L
- Distinct Functions
- No H in everyday communication
ex. Switzerland (Swiss/ Standard German), Arabic, Haiti
Five Characteristics of Diglossia:
1) Persistency
2) Functional Distribution
3) Prestige
4) Literary Heritage
5) All members of a community learn low variety
Persistency
- social arrangement lasting more than 3 generations, no problem
Functional Distribution
- Different function, no competition between varieties
- Must use the right variety in the right situation
Who is Jeoffrey Chaucer
Author of Canabury Tales, broke diglossia in England (1343- 1400) by writing in English
Prestige:
High variety, more codified
ex. High German Bible
Literary Heritage
Most major Literature is in the high language, seen as the language
All members of a community learn the low variety
Low variety learned first at home, high variety taught through the school system
ex. Haiti
Leaking Diglossia
When a language doesn’t quite fulfill every requirement of diglossia but is more diglossia than most.
Narrow Diglossia:
L variety is related to H variety ex. Swiss and Standard German
Broad Diglossia:
L variety is not necessarily related to H variety
How does diglossia affect social distinctions?
Diglossia reinforces social distinctions
ex. Haiti, all know creole but only some know French
Extending the high language threatens the existing power structure
Doublets
High and low variety for the same word. French (H variety) veau – English (L variety) veal
Does diglossia = bilingualism?
Not necessarily, Classic and Dialect Arabic
? this seems wrong?
Code-switching:
Using more than one code, typically only one language at a time.
Inter-sentential code-switching:
Finish clause or sentence than switch codes
Intra-sentential code-switching
Mixing of languages win a sentence
Situational Code-Switching
Code switching based on predictable social and situational factors.
Metaphorical Code-Switching
Non-situationals, used as a communicative effect to empphasize something. ex Norwegian teacher delivering lecture in Bokmal switches to Ranamal to encourage discussion
Selecting a Code
- Major identity marker: used to establish, cross or destroy social boundary
- Symbol of power: used to create, evoke or change relationships ex. Ukrainian refuses to speak Russian
- May be unconscious to show solidarity or social distinction
Political expression of code-switching:
- to assert a right
- to resist some other power
- to claim a political identity
- to express solidarity (re-creolized varieties in the UK)
ex. French in Ontario, Russian Ukraine
Tag Switching
Don’t fully switch into other language but use “tags” or expression such as “salut”. Solidarity markers b/w minority languages
Quotational Switching
Switches code in order to quote another speaker. Not the exact words, but gives the impression that the words are very accurate
Attitudes towards Code-Switching
- Puristic views
- For code switchers code-switching may be a source of pride
The Equivalence Constraint:
We can only code switch at the point where the two languages overlap. None if they don’t overlap
What models did Carol Myers-Scotton create:
- Markedness Model
- Matrix Language Frame Model
Markedness Model:
Speakers have marked and unmarked choices (doesn’t equal high and low) and these vary by situation.
ex. English vs indigenous languages in Nigeria
Matrix Language Frame Model:
The Matrix provide the structure.
Embedded Language provides lexical items
Matched guise test:
Person is judged speaking language X and language y. Judgements reveal social stereotypes
* Introduced by Lambert:
Lambert’s Study
80 English Canadian and 92 French Canadian 1st year college students in Montreal.
Used Matched guise Test
- Female speakers in French Guise rated as more intelligent and sincere
- Male speakers in English guises taller more likable and more humerous
Accomodation
Message and code are inseparable. Speakers may try to accommodate to the expectations of others a sign of solidarity.
- May be deliberate or unconscious
- Reducing or increasing differences in speech
Convergent Behaviour - decreases differences
Divergent Behaviour - increases differences
