Digital code-switching between Cypriot and Standard Greek: Performance and identity play online

Abstract

Studies of code-switching in writing are very limited in comparison with the numerous investigations of this phenomenon in oral communication. Recent research has revealed that in text-based computer-mediated communication internet users bring into play the various languages available in their linguistic repertoire and, consequently, switch between them. In this case study, I investigate digital code-switching between Cypriot and Standard Greek, the two varieties of Greek spoken on the island of Cyprus. Following Auer’s conversation analytic approach and Gafaranga’s view that conversational structure coexists with social structure, I investigate code-switching in online interactions. The data to be analysed here, unlike those considered in most studies of code-switching, are written data, obtained from channel #Cyprus of Internet Relay Chat. The results suggest that code-switching in writing is influenced not only by macro-sociolinguistic factors, but they are also shaped by the medium- and social-specific characteristics of Internet Relay Chat. This, in turn, allows internet users to gain access to different roles and perform various identities within this online context.

A local voice of Macau: Traditional Characters, code-switching and Written Cantonese in an internet forum

“…In computermediated communication, literacy practices that appropriate non-standard, vernacular language or variety are widespread and common around the globe (Androutsopolous 2006;Hinrichs 2006;Siebenhaar 2006;Themistocleous 2015). Therefore, Written Cantonese in itself and its pervasiveness in the internet are nothing very exceptional.…”

“…Nonetheless, this overview has made it clear that the literacy practices on UM Secrets are sociolinguistic practices or identity practices by which these young participants position or classify themselves, primarily as "local Macau residents" and "non-mainlanders". Writing as sociolinguistic or identity practice is nothing new but a theme in much recent scholarship on literacy (Lillis andMcKinney 2013) andcomputer-mediated communication (Androutsopolous 2006;Hinrichs 2006;Themistocleous 2015). However, closely linked to this, literacy practices, for instance those on UM Secrets, can also be political practice or action by which senders assert their rights as local students and call for change of school policies, an idea that has yet been explored and discussed thoroughly.…”

Playful language alternation in an online discussion forum: The example of digital code plays

“…Studies exploring the status of a particular variety and intensity of CS rely mainly on quantitative, statistical measures, for example word frequency lists (Siebenhaar, 2006(Siebenhaar, , 2008. Research concerned with diverse functions of linguistic practices employs a range of qualitative methods such as Discourse Analysis, Online Ethnography or Conversational Analysis (Herring, 2004;Androutsopoulos, 2006Androutsopoulos, , 2007Androutsopoulos, , 2013Themistocleous, 2013). Qualitative methods can shed light on a range of nuances and interesting, unusual patterns that a quantitative analysis cannot reveal.…”

“…Earlier research concerned with communicative practices of bi-or multilingual speakers in digital environments, especially Web 2.0, has revealed a wide variety of strategies these speakers deploy to convey meanings, maintain relationships, and construct offline identity (Georgakopoulou, 1997;Androutsopoulos and Hinnenkamp, 2001; Androutsopoulos, 2006Androutsopoulos, , 2007Androutsopoulos, , 2013Su 2007;Tseliga, 2007;Barton & Lee, 2013;Tagg and Seargeant, 2013;Themistocleous, 2013). Bi-or multilingual speakers are interested not only because they are able to draw on more linguistic and semiotic resources than monolingual speakers, but because they often combine and manipulate such multiple resources available to them in productive, innovative, and playful ways (Su, 2007;Androutsopoulos, 2013;Barton and Lee, 2013;Tagg and Seargeant, 2013).…”

“…Bi-or multilingual speakers are interested not only because they are able to draw on more linguistic and semiotic resources than monolingual speakers, but because they often combine and manipulate such multiple resources available to them in productive, innovative, and playful ways (Su, 2007;Androutsopoulos, 2013;Barton and Lee, 2013;Tagg and Seargeant, 2013). This has been demonstrated by exploring practices in two areas: (1) language choice and digital code-switching (Georgakopoulou, 1997;Androutsopoulos and Hinnenkamp, 2001;Androutsopoulos, 2006Androutsopoulos, , 2007Androutsopoulos, , 2013Themistocleous, 2013); and, (2) writing systems (Su, 2007;Tseliga, 2007;Tagg and Seargeant, 2013). The current study attempts to contribute to such research on the digital practices of bi-and multilinguals by exploring a phenomenon that has not been documented in research, that of digital code plays.…”