Code‐switching: a natural phenomenon vs language ‘deficiency’

Abstract

Code-switching is a very important aspect of bilingualism, and is a natural occurrence when two bilingual speakers engage in discourse. For the most part, such individuals are not consciously aware that they are code-switching. Nonetheless, it serves an important social function.Whenever there is more than one language spoken in a community, its population will code-switch. The purpose of this paper is to first examine the types of code-switches that bilingual speakers use and listener attitudes toward this behavior. Some linguists view code-switching as inevitable, and feel that it helps to express meanings more precisely, while others believe that code-switching can serve to pollute a language, rather than enhance the communication between bilingual individuals. Professionals in speech-language pathology have viewed the use of the amount and types of codeswitching as indicators for relative language proficiency or, on occasion, as the lack thereof. Some practitioners view code-switching as a symptom of language deficiency. However, the authors contend that when code-switching is used to maximize communication and to strengthen not only the content but the essence of the message, it can be considered an asset, not a deficiency. However when used in great abundance, and to the degree that it interferes with communication, it can be considered a deficit. Second, this paper discusses the importance of collecting data based on the ethnographic approach in order to gain more insight into this phenomenon. Such data need to be analyzed qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The authors propose a framework for in-depth studies, i.e. cumulative studies of code-switching under various contexts. The following analyses of each instance of code-switching may then assist researchers to obtain a holistic and qualitative understanding of such behaviors.

Liminal but Competent: Latin American Migrant Children and School in Australia

“…Studies of code-switching, which linguists describe as alternation in the use of two languages between two bilingual speakers, have described it as a strategy to enhance the communication between the speakers, or as a symptom of language deficiency (Cheng & Butler, 1989). However my analysis suggests that code switching in children is also an indication of the fluctuating cultural and linguistic spaces they engage with on a daily basis.…”

Language Maintenance and Loss in Preschool-Age Children of Mexican Immigrants

“…Despite the fact that most bilingual children code-mix, this bilingual behavior is often a source of concern and misunderstanding (Genesee et al, 2004). Code-switching and code-mixing have been considered by some researchers as indicators of language deficiency, inadequacy, or deviancy (Cheng & Butler, 1989;Fernandez, 1990;Poplack, 1980). Conversely, other researchers have described these behaviors as typical, common, and occurring at all levels of language proficiency (Ardila, 2005;Backus, 1999;Brice & Anderson, 1999;Genesee et al, 2004;Patterson, 1999;Toribio, 2004).…”

What is required for transition from the ESL classroom to the general education classroom? A case study of two classrooms

“…It should be re-emphasized that use of language alternation is not indicative of a language disorder in and of itself (Cheng & Butler, 1989;Reyes, 1995). On the contrary, language alternation in the discourse of proficient bilingual speakers indicates their knowledge of the two languages, including the semantic, morphological, syntactic, and pragmatic dimensions of both languages.…”

“…Cheng & Butler (1989) have pointed out that, Professionals in speech-language pathology have viewed the use(s) of... code-switching as indicators for relative proficiency or, on occasion, as the lack thereof. Some practitioners view code-switching as a symptom of language deficiency (p. 293).…”