Code Switching and Code Mixing in Digital Communication: A

Study of the Fantastic 4 Chat Group

Putri Annazarin

English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teaching and Education

Samudra University

[email protected]

Abstract: This study aims to determine the forms of code switching and code mixing contained
in the digital communication of group Fantastic 4 and explain the forms of code switching and
code mixing that occur. This research is a qualitative research in which data to find the forms of
code switching and code mixing are collected by engaging in conversation. Meanwhile, the data
to explain the forms that occur were collected by quoting and collecting chats. This study found
that the forms of code-mixing are the insertion of words, phrases, and sentences; the forms of
code-switching are the switch from Indonesian to English. Meanwhile, the factors behind the
occurrence of code switching and code mixing are: academic demands, language improvement,
and prestige.

Keywords: Code-switching, Code-mixing, Sociolinguistics, Digital Communication

I. INTRODUCTION
Language is a human communication tool that allows humans to interact with each other.
As time progresses, language develops. Many people communicate in more than one
language. In Indonesia, Indonesian as the national language, regional languages
according to ethnicity, and foreign languages are also widely used today, so Indonesian
people are becoming increasingly bilingual and multilingual because they can use many
languages.
The scientific study of language, its function and structure is known as linguistics.
Linguistics is the study of how language works. Linguistics has several subfields, each of
which focuses on a different aspect of language. These sections include phonetics and
phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, pragmatics, psycholinguistics,
sociolinguistics, and applied linguistics.

Sociolinguistics includes the study of code mixing and switching. The study looks at how
social variables including culture, gender, age, and socioeconomic class impact speech
delivery as well as its content.

In bilingual and multilingual settings, linguistic phenomena like code-mixing and code-
switching are frequently observed. Code-mixing refers to the use of words or phrases
from two or more different languages or dialects in a single sentence or utterance.
Meanwhile, code-switching refers to the alternation of languages or dialects used in a
conversation or utterance.

A person's ability to use more than one language is called bilingualism or

multilingualism. Based on Romaine’s (1995) theory, a bilingual is an individual who is
able to switch between two languages in socially and contextually appropriate ways.

Code-mixing and code-switching often occur in communication on social media. Many

people, prefer to learn through various digital media rather than textbooks. Currently,
WhatsApp is the most widely used social media platform for communication. Code-
switching and code-mixing occur frequently in many conversations on WhatsApp and are
common forms of communication among users. Many WhatsApp users use code-mixing
and code-switching, especially teenagers such as English Education students. English
Education students use Indonesian and English in communicating through WhatsApp
chat, and in this study, researchers chose the Fantastic 4 group.

Fantastic 4 is an English Education student chat group, which was created on 11

September 2023 and consists of active 3 rd semester students, English Education Study
Program, Universitas Samudra, namely Putri Annazarin (Ririn), Putri Rahmanda Sari Hrp
(Putri), Rizka Dwi Aprillia (Rizka), and Cut Putri Julia (Cut). When chatting, the
members of Fantastic 4 regularly use code switching and code mixing. The following is
an excerpt from a Fantastic 4 chat, which contains code-mixing. For example, in this
chat, Ririn🍫🍭: Sorry baru balas karena you know lah my hp is not work. Abis masukkin
sw malah error. Ririn uses her first language, Bahasa Indonesia, and her second language,
English, in the chat. The chat is an example of code switching and code mixing. This
occurs as a result of some English words being added to an Indonesian sentence. We can
gain a better grasp of the dynamics of sociolinguistic communication in the setting of
social media by looking at how code-switching and code-mixing are used in the Fantastic
4 chat group.

There are several research that are similar to this one, even if the exact same study has
not yet been found. The code-switching research was carried out by Dewi Purnama Sari,
Maya Putri Hartanti (2023) entitled, Code Mixing and Code Switching in Maudy
Ayunda’s YouTube Channel. Ahmad Mustamir Waris(2012) entitled, Code switching and
code mixing (Communication in Learning Language). Yulius Nahak, Barli Bram (2022)
entitled, Code Mixing And Code Uttered by Cinta Laura in Okay Boss Trans7’s Talk
Show.

Based on some previous related studies, this research has differences with the three
studies, this research uses the Fantastic 4 WhatsApp group chat as the object of analysis.
However, this study uses the same idea in identifying the types of code-mixing and code-
switching. Although, this study has a very different focus from the existing studies,
including in terms of research media, research objects, theoretical frameworks, and
methods to be used. By using Romaine and Poplack’s theory, this study also looks for the
forms of code switching and code mixing that occur, as well as the results of the
application of code switching and code mixing. There is no other research that uses the
Fantastic 4 chat group as the object of research. Unlike the previous studies, this research
is a new research because it does not only focus on the types of code-switching and code-
mixing. In addition, this study also discusses the factors of code mix and code switching.
 To find data in this study, the research problem is given and formulated into the following
questions: What are the types of code-mixing and code-switching used by the Fantastic 4
group? And what are the factors of Fantastic 4 using code-mixing and code-switching in
Group chat?

II. METHODS
While analyzing the various forms of code-mixing and code-switching, the researcher
also looked at the factors that influenced Fantastic 4’s use of code-mixing and code-
switching. This research differs from previous studies in that it looks at the motivations
behind code-mixing as well as the effects of using code-mixing and code-switching.
Romaine and Poplack’s theory is used to identify the types of code switching and code
mixing that occur.

Qualitative-descriptive techniques were used in this study to capture all the data that
emerged in the WhatsApp chat group Fantastic 4. Qualitative-descriptive techniques were
used in this study because, according to Patton (1990) that the qualitative approach
emphasizes in-depth exploration of phenomena that occur in real life, often through rich
and descriptive data such as diaries, letters, or interviews.

Given that the purpose of this study is to examine the Fantastic 4 chat, which includes
code-switching and code-mixing in its conversations, in the definition above, this study is
referred to as “the group chat that the researcher participated in and conducted”,
qualitative analysis is a suitable approach. Various forms of code-mixing, code-switching,
and factors influencing the use of code-mixing and code-switching in the Fantastic 4
group chat will be examined in this study using descriptive qualitative analysis.

This research will collect data using documentation. Understanding what is meant by
“documents” will make qualitative research easier. According to Gottschalk, documents
(documentation) are any evidentiary process based on any type of source, be it written,
oral, pictorial, or archaeological. Creswell (2014) divides document data into: Written
 text, such as interview transcripts, journals, books, or archival documents; Visual data,
such as videos, photos, diagrams, and drawings; and so on. Given that Fantastic 4 group
chat is one type of document, it can be concluded from the description above that the
collection of conversational text is a documentation technique. This study used several
steps to collect data: 1) Exporting the Fantastic 4 group chat. 2) Collecting every word in
the Fantastic 4 chat. 3) Paying special attention to chats that contain code-mixing and
code-switching.

There are multiple steps involved in the data selection process: 1) Choosing the necessary
information: At this point, the researcher chose utterances or sentences that exhibited
code-switching and code-mixing characteristics. Using Poplack’s (1980) and Romaine’s
(1995) theories, the data from the Fantastic 4 group chat was examined to address the
research concerns about the types and factors of code-mixing and code-switching usage.
2) Using Romaine’s (1995) and Poplack’s (1980) theories to analyze chat code mix and
code switching. At this stage, the researcher identified the types of code-mixing and
code-switching used in the Fantastic 4 group chat. 3) The researcher double-checked all
the results in the analysis to ensure that the results were correct and appropriate. 4)
Finally, the researcher made a conclusion based on the research results.

III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Based on Romaine’s theory (1995) there are three types of code switching: inter
sentential, intra sentential, and tag switching. Meanwhile, for code mixing according to
Poplack (1980) there are three types of code mixing: intra word mixing, intra phrase
mixing, and intra clausal mixing.

The results were discovered by the researcher. It is evident that a variety of code mixing
and code switching techniques were discovered during the analysis of the Fantastic 4
group conversation. The results are explained as follows:
1. Code Switching
Depending on the social setting or particular communication job, people frequently move
between languages in written and oral communication, a phenomenon known as “code-
switching.” According to Genta Winata et al. (2023), it is frequently employed to
demonstrate individuality or to fit in with a specific audience. Inter-sentential, intra-
sentential, and tag switching are the three categories of code switching identified by
Romaine (1995). Below is an explanation of the various types of code switching:
a. Inter-Sentential Switching
Varies the language used in sentences. Fantastic 4 employs inter-sentential switching
in the researcher’s analysis of the dialog. For instance: Ririn🍫🍭: Don’t think like that
put. Kita berjuang sama-sama looo. In the chat, there is a transition from English
“Don’t think like that put” and Indonesian “Kita berjuang sama-sama looo” in
separate sentences. With a complete stop in between, the two languages are employed
in distinct statements. Inter-sentential switching, in which language changes between
sentences, is exemplified by this.

b. Intra-Sentential Switching

Alters the wording of the same sentence. Fantastic 4 employs intra-sentential switching in
the conversations that the researcher examined. For instance Cuuut🐰🍓: sorry guys, I can’t
join bcs I really sleepy, ga sangup mikir lagi, besok saja. The English phrase “sorry guys,
I can’t join bcs I really sleepy,…” and the Indonesian phrase “… ga sangup mikir lagi,
besok saja” alternate in the same line during the conversation. Comma punctuation is
used to continue the sentence, allowing both languages to be utilized in the same sentence
without any restrictions. An instance of intra-sentential switching is when a linguistic
change takes place within a single sentence.

c. Tag Switching
The insertion of short elements or phrases. In the chats analyzed by the researcher,
Fantastic 4 uses tag switching. Example Ririn🍫🍭: So pasti. In the phrase-shaped chat,
there is a switch between English “So” and Indonesian “pasti” in a phrase. In a sentence,
both languages are employed. Tag switching typically uses brief words or phrases like
“so pasti,” “okay,” or “you know.” This is an example of in-sentence switching.
2. Code Mixing
Code mixing, as defined by Poplack (1980), is the practice of combining linguistic
components from two distinct languages into a single grammatical unit, such as a word,
phrase, or sentence. Mixing of codes Poplack (1980) distinguished amongst three
categories of code mixing: intra-clausal, intra-phrase, and intra-word. Here’s an
illustration:
a. Intra-word mixing
Intra-word mixing occurs when elements from two languages are mixed in one word. In
the chats analyzed by the researcher, Fantastic 4 uses intra-word mixing. Example Rizka
🦄🍉: eh baru mau minta upload in. In the chat, there is the word “upload-in” where the
word “upload” comes from English, then given the affix “-in” from Indonesian. Another
example Cuuut🐰🍓: guys jadi ini phonetic sama phonology kita presentasiin bagaimana?.
In the chat, there is the word “presentasi” which is an absorption word from English
(presentation), then given the affix “-in” from Indonesian. These are examples of intra-
word mixing.

b. Intra-phrase mixing
Mixing of languages within one phrase. In the chats analyzed by researchers, Fantastic 4
uses intra-phrase mixing. Example Rizka🦄🍉: come on, gas aja lah. In the chat, there is the
phrase “come on” mixed with the phrase “gas aja lah” from Indonesian. This is an
example of intra-phrase mixing.

c. Intra-clausal mixing
Intra-clausal mixing is a phenomenon of code-mixing where elements from two different
languages are used in one clause without separating the grammatical structures of the two
languages. In this context, words, phrases or grammatical elements from one language
are inserted into a clause that predominantly uses the grammar of the other language. In
the chats analyzed by the researcher, Fantastic 4 uses intra-clausal mixing. Example Putri
Hrp🐥🥑: file listening pak chai ada beberapa yg gabisa di play di aku guys, how about u?.
The chat contains intra-clausal mixing because English elements are mixed in one main
Indonesian clause. English-derived words such as “file,” “listening,” “play,” and “guys”
 are used with Indonesian elements without separating the structures; for instance, the
verb “play” is given the Indonesian passive voice “di-,” demonstrating the grammatical
fusion of the two languages; the sentence’s main structure is still Indonesian, but English
words and phrases are added for style.

According to the researcher’s analysis, academic expectations, the need to demonstrate

prestige, and the desire to develop language abilities are the variables that lead to code
switching and code mixing. As a student of English education, you must use other
languages, particularly English, in order to meet academic requirements. Furthermore,
blending languages is seen as a means of enhancing one’s language proficiency,
particularly in a universal language like English. Prestige factors also play a role;
speaking a foreign language, particularly in conversation, is sometimes linked to coming
across as cool, modern, or professional. Therefore, these are the reasons why code mixing
and code switching occur in regular communication.

IV. CONCLUSION
The researchers used Fantastic 4’s WhatsApp group chat as the material for analysis
to identify the different types of code-mixing and code-switching and the factors of
code-mixing and code-switching in Fantastic 4’s group chat. The researchers found
that there were several matching examples after conducting an examination.
Romaine’s theory (1995) and Poplack’s theory (1980), used in Fantastic 4’s group
chats, state that there arethree (3) forms of code-mixing and three (3) types of code-
switching.The types are: Inter-sentential switching, intra-sentential switching, tag
switching, intra-word mixing, intra-phrase mixing, and intra-clause mixing. There are
three types of code-switching and code-mixing each in the Fantastic 4 group chat.
According to this study, the Fantastic 4 chat group uses code mixing and code
switching for three main reasons. Academic demands, language improvement, and
prestige.
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