Sociolinguistics

“Code Switching and Code Maxing”

Group 5

Risna Juliana (A1M2 17 052)

Winda Firdayanti (A1M2 17 058)

Asnati saputri (A1M2 17 064)

Dewi Putri Rahayu (A1M2 17 068)

Mitahul Jannah Mardatilah Y. (A1M2 17 082)

Risti Harianti (A1M2 17 090)

Wa Ode Saltina (A1M2 17 100)

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT MAJOR

TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION FACULTY

HALU OLEO UNIVERSITY

KENDARI

2019
 INTRODUCTION

Sociolinguistic is one of field of macro linguistic that study about the relationship between
language and society, and how language is used in multilingual speech community. Related
to the explanation, sociolinguistics is the study of the development and the level of use of
language in society in which there is a discussion about bilingual and multilingual languages.
Actually, the concept of bilingualism and multilingualism is the same.

Bilingual and multilingual language is regarding the use of state of more than one language
by a speaker when communicating with others. Moreover, in term of bilingualism and
multilingualism, code switching and code mixing often occur. Switch or mix code a language
into another language is common situations in Indonesian people nowadays. It is happens in
every gender, age, status and society.

Code in sociolinguistics simply refers to a language or a language variety. Both Code Mixing
and Code Switching are in one way or another coming together of two or more languages or
codes. Unlike Pidgins and Creoles, these are milder instances of language contact situation.
By simple definition, Code Mixing is mixing of mostly words, but also phrases, clauses or
even complete sentences of two languages or varieties. Code Switching is nothing but
switching from one language to another to create a special effect. Note the addition of the
phrase “special effect” in the definition of the latter. The key Difference between Code
Mixing and Code Switching is indeed that Code Switching has a special, social pragmatic
consequence while Code Mixing does not.
 DEFINITION OF CODE

Code or variety of language is the choice of words. By the existence of the language varieties,
some people need to choose the code or interaction strategy correctly to be used at random
context.

In communications, a code is a rule for converting a piece of information (for example, a

letter, word, or phrase) into another form or representation, not necessarily of the same sort.
In communications and information processing, encoding is the process by which a source
(object) performs this conversion of information into data, which is then sent to a receiver
(observer), such as a data processing system (Mesthrie, 2001: 55).

In semiotics, the concept of a code is of fundamental importance. Saussure emphasized that

signs only acquire meaning and value when they are interpreted in relation to each other. He
believed that the relationship between the signifier and the signified was arbitrary. Hence,
interpreting signs requires familiarity with the sets of conventions or codes currently in use to
communicate meaning (Trask and Stockwell, 2005:40).

The term code is a relatively neutral conceptualization of a linguistic variety-be it a language

or a dialect. Romaine (1995: 33) mantion that: “I will use the term ‘code’ here in a general
sense to refer not only to different language, but also to varieties of the same language as well
as styles within a language”. However, not many researchers really explicate the term in their
definition. In this study, code will be talking as a verbal component that can be as small as a
morpheme or as comprehensive and complex as the entire system of language.

Cystal (2008:83) asserts that the general sense of this term- a set of conventions for convering
one signaling system into another- enters into the subjec-matter o semiotics and
communication theory rather than linguistics such notions as ‘encoding’ and ‘decoding’ are
sometimes encountered in phonetics and linguistics, but the view of languages as a ‘code’ is
not one which figures greatly in these subjects. The term has come to the fore in
sociolinguistics, where it is mainly used as a neutral label for any system of communication
involving language- and which avoids sociolinguists having to commit themselves to such
terms as dialect, language or variety, which have a special status in their theories

Nevertheless, several sociologists and sociolinguists have given ‘code’ a more restricted
definition. For example, codes are sometimes defined in terms of mutual inteligibility (e.g.
the language of a private of professional group). But the most widespread special use of the
term was in the theory of communication codes propounded by the British sociologist Basil
Bernstein (1924- 2000) his distinction between elaborated and restricted codes was part of a
theory of the nature of social systems, concerned in particular with the kinds of meanings
people communicate, and how explicitly they do this, using the range of resouces provided by
the language

According to Meyerhoff (2006:115-116) people who speak more than one language, or who
have command over more than one variety of any language, are generally very sensitive to
the differences in the vitality of the languages they use and they are equally aware that in
some contexts one variety will serve their needs better than another.

Thus, for language and especially speech that draws to differing extents on at least two
languages combined in different ways, as when a Malay/ English bilingual says: This
morning I hantar my baby tu dekat babysitter tu lah (hantar took, tu dekat to the, lah a
particle marking solidarity). A code may be a language or a variety or style of a language; the
term code-mixing emphasizes hybridization, and the term code-switching emphasizes
movement from one language to another. Mixing and switching probably occur to some
extent in the speech of all bilinguals, so that there is a sense in which a person capable of
using two languages.

THE DEFINITION OF CODE-SWITCHING

Code-switching is a term in linguistics referring to using more than one language or dialect in
conversation. Code-switching can occur between sentences (intersentential) or within a single
sentence (intrasentential). Code-switching is now considered to be a normal and natural
product of interaction between the bilingual (or multilingual) speaker’s two languages. Code-
switching can be distinguished from other language contact phenomena such as loan
translation (calques), borrowing, pidgins and creoles, and transfer or interference.

Code-switching is changing event from one code to another. For example, at first someone
uses Indonesian language, and then he/she switches into Javanese. This event manifests in
switch of regional, social, style and register variants. In code-switching, the use of two or
more languages is marked by:

a. Each language still supports its own functions based on the contexts;

b. Each language function is based on relevant situation with contexts change.

Code switching is defines as the use of more than one language, variety, or style by speaker
within an utterance or discourse, or between different interlocutors or situations (Romaine,
1992:110)”. It means switching the code occurs when there is more than one language in
communication. The speaker uses his or her ability in another language, style, dialect or
anything it served by the speaker depends on the addresses in different occasions.

People in the bilingualism or multilingualism situation often change language or variety of

languages. This situation depends on situation or the need for communication such as when a
person uses a standard language when he meets his guest. When he knows that, actually, the
guest is his old friend, the person switches his standard language into informal language. This
phenomenon is called code switching. 

According to Heller in Lowi (2005), “Code switching is views as a bilingual/multilingual

practice that is used not only as a conversational tool, but also as a way to establish, maintain
and delineate ethnic boundaries and identities”. It means code switching is not only to convey
a conversations activity, but also to coverage all aspect in society meaning.According to
Holmes (1992:50), “Code switching occurs when the speaker shifted their language from one
language to another. Code switching is switched essentially between sentences”. It means
bilingual speakers changes his or her utterance into another language when they spoke. This
language changes may take a number of different forms, including alteration of sentences,
phrases from both languages succeeding each other and switching in long narrative.

According to Crystal (1991: 59) code switching can be illustrated by the switch bilingual
speaker may make (depending on who they are talking to or where they are) between
standard and regional forms of English, between Welsh and English in parts of  Wales, or
between occupational and domestics varieties.

Komarudin (1989: 59) says that code switching occurs in level of clauses and sentences.
Code switching is general characteristics in bilingualism. Bilingual people often switch codes
from one language to other language when they speak or write. 

Code switching is switching situation from one code to another (Suwito, 1985: 68). If a
speaker firstly uses code A (for example Indonesian Language) and he changes his code to
code B (Javanese Language), this situation is called code switching.

Code switching not only occurs in the form of language change but also may happen in the
change of the variant of language. Hymes (in Chaer 1995: 142) says that code switching has
become a common term for alternate us of two or more languages, varieties of language or
even speech style. For example, when people switch one code, in example, grammatical code
to casual code when the situation changes into informal situation.

TYPES OF CODE SWITCHING

1. Inter-Sentential

This kind of code switching occurs between clause or sentence boundary, where each clause
or sentence is in one language or other, as when Spanish-English bilingual says: “Tenias
zapatos blancos, un poco, they were off-white, you know”. In this example, the guy first
speaks in Spanish and then switches the code using English clause in the end of the
conversation.

2. Intra-Sentential

In intra-sentential code switching, the shift is done in the middle of a sentence, with no
interruptions, hesitations, or pauses to indicate a shift. The speaker is usually unaware of the
shift. For example: You are sleepy coğu zaman, because you spend a lot of saat in your bed.
Different types of switches occur within the clause level and within the word level.

3. Extra-Sentential or Tag Switching

This is the switching of either a single word or a tag phrase (or both) from one language to
another. This type is common in intra-sentential switches. It involves the insertion of a tag
from one language into an utterance in another language. For example: "Él es de Oaxaca y
así los criaron a ellos, if you know what I mean." Another example is how Turkish students
use some boundary words like ama (but) or yani (I mean) while speaking English. In this
kind of code switching, tags, exclamation and certain set phrases in one language are inserted
into an utterance otherwise in another, as when a Panjabi/English says:“It’s a nice day,
hana?” (hai na? isn’t it). The word “hana” in Panjabi is as a tag.

4. Establishing continuity with the previous speaker

This kind of code switching occurs to continue the utterance of the previous speaker, as when
one Indonesian speaker speaks in English and then the other speaker tries to respond in
English too.
For example:

Speaker 1: What a traffic! We will get old in the road

Speaker 2: Yup, you are absolutely right. Setiap hari maceeet.

In these types of code switching, the changes of language occurs in the structure of clause or
sentence boundary, insertion with tags, exclamation and certain set of phrases, even the
switch occurs to continue the utterance of the previous speaker.

This type of switching appears to involve special principles governing how the syntax and
morphology of both languages may interacted and consequently adopted only by bilinguals
with high levels of fluency.It is clearly seen that, in code switching, there is no adaptation or
integration of words or clauses from one language into the other. What occurs is simply a
switch in the language

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CODE-SWITCHING

 Internal Code-Switching

If the code-switching occurs among regional languages in one national language, or

among dialects in one regional language, or among some styles in one dialect, it is
called as Internal Code-switching.

 External Code-Switching

If code-switching occurs among native language and foreign language is called as

External Code-switching. For example: “Ah this man Hotman got his organization to
contribute a lot of money to the Armsterdamer fancy-fair. Ben jij naaar de optocht
geweest?”

CODE-MIXING

Code-Mixing: The use of two or more language by putting in/inserting linguistic elements in
one language into other language consistently.

Code mixing has two features, namely dependency feature and the language or variant
elements that insert in other language have no more function. Dependency feature marked by
the relationship between the language rule and function. The role means who use the
language and function means what will be reached by the speaker with his or her utterance. If
the speaker mixes his or her code or language, then it must be asked the factors such as: who
the speaker is: social background, the level of education, religion, etc. A speaker who masters
many languages will have chance to mix code more than the other speakers who only masters
or two languages. But it does not mean that the speaker who masters many languages will
always mix codes.

The second feature that the language or variant elements inserted in other language have no
more function. It can be classified into two kinds. The first is inner code mixing that is
originated from the native language with its all variations,  for instance Jawa Ngoko mixed
with Jawa Krama- Inggil, wah baksone pun telas mas, pados liyane mawon. In this sentence,
the speaker mixes jawa ngoko, liyane, with jawa krama inggil, pun, telas, mawon.

The second is outer code mixing that mix a foreign language with native language such as
English language mixed with Indonesian language. Saya sedang tidak bisa berpikir, otakku
blank. In this sentence, the speaker mixes English language, blank, with Indonesian language
saya, sedang, tidak, bisa, berpikir, otakku. 

TYPE OF CODE MIXING

According to Muysken (2000:1) divided into threemain types:

1. Insertion (word phrase)

Approaching that depart from the notion of insertion new to constraint in term of the
structural properties some base or matrix structures. Here the process of code mixing is
conceived as something borrowing. For example: nanti siang jadi meeting di mana?

2. Alternation

Approaches departing from alternation view the constraint on mixing in terms of capability or
equivalence of the language involved at the switch point. Example such English-Indonesian,
“mau memprint berapa lembar?”.

3. Congruent lexicalization (dialect)

The notion of congruent lexicalization underlies the study of style shifting and
dialect/standard variation rather than bilingual language use proper. For example, “hey, how
are you? I’m Sam. Senang bertemu anda. Nice to meet you.
These three basic processes are constrained by different structural conditions and in different
ways in specific bilingual setting.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CODE MIXING AND CODE SWITCHING?

Let us first talk about one of the major causes of Code Mixing and Code Switching in
linguistics. Language contact is when two or more languages or communities speaking those
languages come in contact with each other. Coming together of individuals or communities
speaking distinct languages most often results into bilingualism within the communities or its
members. In this age of wide spread global communication, you can imagine that a language
or speech community can rarely be monolingual. Even if there were an isolated, monolingual
community somewhere, it would still show bilingualism, although within the language
varieties or dialects of that same language.

Hence, language contact and bilingualism are the prime causes of code mixing and code
switching in speech communities. This contact situation is not only brought by physical
interaction of the speakers. It can also be social media interaction. Some other examples that
facilitate language contact are academic or non-academic reading in a non-native language.

There are a number of possible reasons for switching from one language to another; three are
described below.

1) To Fulfill a Need. A speaker who may not be able to express him/herself in one
language might switch to another to compensate for the deficiency. As a result, the
speaker may be triggered into speaking in the other language for a while. This type of
code switching tends to occur when the speaker is upset, tired, or distracted in some
manner, or when they are less fluent in one language.

2) To Express Solidarity. Switching also commonly occurs when an individual wishes

to express solidarity with a particular social group. Rapport is established between the
speaker and the listener when the listener responds with a similar switch.

3) To Exclude Others. Code switching may also be used to exclude others from a
conversation who do not speak the second language. For example, if two people in an
elevator in an English-speaking place spoke Spanish, then not only would the others
on that elevator who do not speak Spanish would be excluded from the conversation,
but also a degree of comfort and intimacy would be established between the Spanish-
 speakers due to the fact that not all those present in the elevator can listen to their
conversation.

CODE MIXING AND CODE SWITCHING DIFFERENCE

Let us now go on and talk more about the Difference between Code Mixing and Code
Switching with examples. Note that the terms code mixing and switching in sociolinguistics
are so closely related that some linguists do not mind using them interchangeably. Both
involve hybridization of words, phrases, clauses or even full sentences of two or more
languages. The Difference between Code Mixing and Code Switching is that switching is
done in a particular setting or for a particular purpose. And code mixing is done more out of
linguistic requirement.

The language user switches codes while speaking in a certain style in front of another person.
In one way, we kind of change identities while talking to different people. However, code
mixing is more unintentional that way. We can mix one code with another when we do not
know the correct translation of a particular word in another language. In fact, over the time,
many code-mixed words become so frequent that they form a part of the language as loan or
borrowed words. It is important that we look at a language synchronically to better study
code mixing.

Also, language and cultures are closely related. Sometimes a concept expressed by one
language is totally missing in another language. For example, the word jhootha in Hindi. The
word is used for something like a utensil or food that someone has already used or tasted.
This concept is totally missing in a language like English. So while speaking or writing in
English, the user has no option but to use the word as it is. She can also choose to give a
description of that word instead. However, if she knows that the other person knows Hindi as
well, she will most likely use the word as it is without hesitation.
 CONCLUSION

A code is a rule for converting a piece of information. Code in sociolinguistics simply refers
to a language or a language variety. There are Code-switching and Code-mixing. Code-
switching is using more than one language or dialect in conversation and considered to be a
normal and natural product of interaction between the bilingual (or multilingual) speaker’s
two languages while Code-Mixing use of two or more language by putting in/inserting
linguistic elements in one language into other language consistently. The key Difference
between Code Mixing and Code Switching is indeed that Code Switching has a special,
social pragmatic consequence while Code Mixing does not which the difference is influenced
by many factors.
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