Trilingual Code-switching in Hong Kong

Abstract

The present study is a follow-up study on Chan (2018a) which examined a new code-switching form in Hong Kong called trilingual code-switching. Previous studies on the code-switching in Hong Kong focused mainly on bilingual code-switching between Cantonese and English, yet Chan's (2018a) ethnolinguistic study suggested that there was a new form of trilingual code-switching among Cantonese, English and Putonghua arisen in Hong Kong because of the increasing contact with mainland China as well as the introduction of Putonghua in the school curriculum. By analyzing the quantitative and qualitative data from sixty university students collected through an online survey, the present study revealed Hongkongers' view on three language uses, including the use of pure code, bilingual code-switching and trilingual code-switching. The result showed that trilingual code-switching exists in Hong Kong with a low acceptance in Hong Kong. Also, the research showed how bilingual code-switching is linked to a Hong Kong identity.

Trilinguals' Identity Synergism Through Pragmatic Skills

“…In the present study, the trilinguals' code-switching mostly occurred in Turkish and Persian communication rather than when using English. Then, the present study conflicts with earlier bilingual and multilingual studies (e.g., Chan, 2018Chan, , 2019Klimpfinger, 2007) that considered code-switching to be an essential strategy in trilinguals' English communication. According to Chan (2018Chan ( , 2019, using pure-Cantonese, pure-English, and pure-Putonghua in Hong Kong make communication difficult for trilinguals.…”

“…Then, the present study conflicts with earlier bilingual and multilingual studies (e.g., Chan, 2018Chan, , 2019Klimpfinger, 2007) that considered code-switching to be an essential strategy in trilinguals' English communication. According to Chan (2018Chan ( , 2019, using pure-Cantonese, pure-English, and pure-Putonghua in Hong Kong make communication difficult for trilinguals. The Iranian trilinguals communicated in pure Turkish and pure Persian without any difficulties, while their English communication required some trilinguals' practices such as translation and pragmatic or conceptual transfers.…”

“…They noticed that the trilingual policy and its educational effectiveness varied significantly across schools. Chan (2018Chan ( , 2019 observed that trilinguals held Hong Kong identity and applied code-switching among Cantonese, English, and Putonghua, with the dominant use of the forms Cantonese-English or English-Putonghua. According to his findings, using Pure-Cantonese, Pure-English, or Pure-Putonghua made communication difficult in Hong Kong.…”

Negotiating Identity: The Author’s Use of Code-Switching in the Novel “The Shelter

“…The study of how different speech communities switch codes has been done by numerous researchers, among recent ones are Chan (2019) and Yim and Clément (2019). Chan (2019) has explored a new form of code-switching that occurred in Hong Kong, which, therefore, is called trilingual code-switching.…”

“…Studies related to code-switching in the novel and language as an identity have been conducted by several researchers. Chan (2019) has studied a new codeswitching form called trilingual code-switching in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Yim and Clément (2019) examined the effects of code-switching on the attitudes and identities of bilinguals in Toronto.…”