Code-Switching

The term code-switching ( also written Code Switching) refers to a process in which someone moves from one language to another in linguistics. It is also called language change, code changing or code - switching. Such a change can occur within a conversation, a sentence or even a constituent. It can be used in speaking and writing occur. The code changing often depends on the context. The mixing of languages ​​is a common phenomenon in multilingual societies and groups.

If the phenomenon previously seen as a deficit, it is now considered as the ability of multilingual speakers to be able to adapt to different Gesprächsmodi and can be particularly appropriate to deal with the requirements of the particular communication situation.

An example:

The speaker switches in this example first from German into English and then back again into German, but in a Dialektvarietät which is apparently due to the literal speech.

Demarcation

One speaks then in principle of code-switching, if not change the structures of languages ​​or language varieties, but mixed within utterances occur.

From Code -Mixing one speaks when the grammatical structure of the two languages ​​is the same. It lacks a clear-cut language of interaction, also called matrix language. If in a bilingual speech so is not clear which of the two languages ​​, the matrix language, code-switching is often code -mixing used instead of the term.

Furthermore, the code-switching has to be separated from the lexical and / or grammatical transfer.

Typings

After functionality

A distinction between a functional and non- functional code - switching.

When functional code-switching of language change occurs either due to external factors or strategic reasons. It can be distinguished between situationellem and konversationellem code-switching. The external influences of situational code-switching can, inter alia, His interlocutor, place, or theme of each utterance. A language change is thus, for example, when one is addressed to an interlocutor with whom one usually speaks a different language. Also, the type of interaction may play a role in these cases, namely when one speaks on the one hand as a private person in one language, for example, with one and the same person, but if it is for business, changes in language 2.

When konversationellem code-switching, however, discursive- strategic reasons play a role in the change of language. It is often changed to cite the language, since one often wants to play from a quote, the voice and the exact wording, which would not be possible with a translation. Also for expressing a personal opinion, a spokesman change the language, one speaks of an expressive function of code-switching. They very often occurs in typical Diglossien.

The non-functional code-switching refers rather to internal processes of speech production. The change from one language to the other takes place, usually without direct intention of the speaker, can be so spoken of a psycholinguistic motivated code-switching.

An example:

In this example, the delay sound uh can be observed, as the spokesperson subsequently becomes aware that it has changed the language and now want to find the corresponding word for German. The non-functional language change can be caused or promoted by so-called trigger words (the trigger- words).

Grammatical

Another perspective focuses on the grammatical side of code-switching. It will also determine at what point in the sentence or within a phrase you can switch from one language to the other. Particularly common is the language change to set boundaries or for a phrase. One speaks in this case of a intersententiellen code-switching. In contrast, the intrasententielle code-switching, which refers to a change within a set unit.

A distinction is therefore in this division between the following types of code-switching:

• Turn specific: There is changed to a turn-taking limit.
• Intra- turn specific: One person changes within its language the code, divided into: interphrasal: There is changed to a set limit.
• Intraphrasal: There is changed within a sentence.