Beyond “Contextualization”

Abstract

Contextualization cue" seems to be the one notion that has been unanimously accepted in recent literature on the pragmatic motivations of code-switching. This article argues that in view of the wealth of new data analyzed the original conception of contextualization cue can no longer be taken for granted. In particular, it is argued here that code-switching does not necessarily "index" or "signal" certain contextual presuppositions. In addition, some instances of code-switching do not seem to be contextualization cues at all. It is then suggested that code-switching is better characterized as a "textualization cue": The speaker hints that the listener has to interpret the forthcoming message somewhat differently. Finally, the implications of this analysis, in particular the full range of possible meanings conveyed pragmatically by code-switching, will be discussed.