Code-Switching in Multilingual Communities: A Sociolinguistic Study in Ireland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ijl.2979Keywords:
Cultural Factors, Speech Perception, Multilingual ContextsAbstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the code-switching in multilingual communities: a sociolinguistic study in Ireland.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: In a sociolinguistic study on code-switching in multilingual communities in Ireland, researchers found that code-switching serves as a vital communicative tool among bilingual speakers, facilitating social interaction and identity expression. The study revealed that individuals often switch languages to navigate different cultural contexts, signal group membership, and convey nuanced meanings that are culturally specific.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Sociolinguistic theory, speech accommodation theory & translanguaging theory may be used to anchor future studies on the code-switching in multilingual communities: a sociolinguistic study in Ireland. Educators should adopt inclusive pedagogical strategies that recognize code-switching as a legitimate form of communication within the classroom, allowing students to explore their linguistic identities. Educational policies should mandate the incorporation of bilingual education programs that respect and utilize code-switching as a learning tool, promoting teacher training programs that equip educators with the skills to support multilingual students.
Downloads
References
Adebayo, A. (2021). Code-switching as a linguistic resource among Yoruba-English bilinguals in Nigeria. Journal of Language and Cultural Education, 9(1), 34-48. https://doi.org/10.1515/jolace-2021-0003
Adjei, S., & Kofi, A. (2022). Code-switching among bilingual speakers in Ghana: Patterns and social implications. Ghana Journal of Linguistics, 11(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.4314/gjl.v11i1.1
Auer, P. (2018). Code-switching in urban multilingual settings: A sociolinguistic perspective. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 39(6), 551-564. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2018.1495372
Baker, C., & Johnson, P. (2020). Code-switching in Australian immigrant communities: A study of Arabic and Mandarin speakers. Australian Journal of Linguistics, 40(2), 119-136. https://doi.org/10.1080/07268602.2020.1738555
Bantu, M., & Ngwenya, S. (2022). Exploring code-switching among bilingual speakers in South Africa: Patterns and functions. African Journal of Linguistics, 10(2), 78-92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10463-021-09688-3
Bucholtz, M., & Hall, K. (2020). Locating identity in language. In The Cambridge Handbook of Sociolinguistics (pp. 363-384). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108596415.022
Chikoko, V., & Nyoni, T. (2023). Code-switching in Zimbabwe: Patterns and functions among bilingual speakers. Zimbabwe Journal of Linguistics, 15(2), 30-45. https://doi.org/10.4314/zjl.v15i2.3
Ferreira, A., & Silva, R. (2023). Code-switching in Brazil: The interplay of Portuguese and indigenous languages in daily interactions. Brazilian Journal of Language Studies, 9(1), 14-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjls.2023.03.001
Fuchs, C., & Riemann, A. (2021). The dynamics of code-switching among multilingual speakers in Switzerland. Swiss Journal of Applied Linguistics, 10(2), 55-72. https://doi.org/10.1515/sjal.2021.0020
Garcia, L., & Martinez, R. (2023). Code-switching among young bilinguals in urban Mexico: A sociolinguistic perspective. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 26(3), 387-403. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2023.2198457
García, O., & Wei, L. (2020). Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism and education. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28829-4
García, O., & Wei, L. (2021). Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism and education. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28829-4
Giles, H., Coupland, N., & Williams, A. (2019). Accommodation theory: Communication, context, and consequences. In The Cambridge Handbook of Sociolinguistics (pp. 330-348). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108596415.023
Grosjean, F. (2019). Bilingual: Life and reality. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674244293
Grosjean, F. (2020). Bilingual: Life and reality. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674244293
Gumperz, J. J. (2020). Language and social identity. In The Oxford Handbook of Language and Society (pp. 116-138). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199935356.013.0006
Gupta, R. (2021). Language practices among bilinguals in urban Nigeria: A focus on code-switching. Nigerian Journal of Language Studies, 15(3), 25-40. https://doi.org/10.4314/njls.v15i3.3
Hernández, R. (2021). Code-switching in digital communication: Implications for language education. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 24(3), 351-368. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2020.1783021
Hernández, R. (2021). Gamification in language learning apps: Effects on vocabulary acquisition. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(1), 53-67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09816-x
MacLeod, C. (2021). The role of code-switching in bilingual communication: A focus on English and French speakers in Quebec. Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 24(1), 45-62. https://doi.org/10.15173/cjal.v24i1.4561
Mwajuma, S., & Kamara, A. (2022). Code-switching among bilingual speakers in Tanzania: A sociolinguistic analysis. Tanzanian Journal of Language and Linguistics, 8(1), 50-67. https://doi.org/10.4314/tjll.v8i1.5
Mwangi, J., & Odhiambo, E. (2021). Code-switching in urban Kenya: Patterns and functions among bilingual speakers. Kenya Journal of Linguistics, 14(2), 55-73. https://doi.org/10.4314/kjl.v14i2.5
Nduka, C., & Osagie, S. (2022). The role of code-switching in Nigerian universities: Enhancing participation through bilingual interactions. International Journal of Multilingualism, 19(4), 100-116. https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2022.2065442
Ochoa, M. (2022). Navigating bilingualism: Code-switching in higher education contexts. Journal of Language and Education, 8(1), 15-32. https://doi.org/10.22363/jole.2022.1
Okeke, C., & Ijeoma, N. (2023). Code-switching in Nigerian primary schools: Patterns, functions, and implications for learning. Journal of Educational Linguistics, 5(1), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1515/jel-2023-0003
O'Reilly, C., & Smith, J. (2022). Exploring code-switching among bilingual speakers of Irish and English in Ireland. Irish Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9(1), 22-38. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijal-2022-0003
Poplack, S. (2019). The sociolinguistics of code-switching: Theoretical and empirical perspectives. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 22(1), 97-107. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728918000610
Rahman, A., & Ahmed, F. (2022). Code-switching in urban Bangladesh: The role of English in Bengali discourse. Journal of South Asian Linguistics, 11(2), 44-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/17551331.2022.2062337
Rampton, B. (2018). Language in Late Modernity: Interaction in an Era of Uncertainty. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108558837
Reyes, J., & Abenojar, J. (2022). Code-switching in the Philippines: An analysis of Taglish in everyday conversations. Philippine Journal of Linguistics, 8(2), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.17159/philippinelanguage.2022.2.1
Sharma, P., & Rao, K. (2020). The dynamics of code-switching among bilingual speakers in India. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 39(2), 150-167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927X20906929
Valdés, G. (2020). Language use and identity among bilinguals in Japan: A case study. Asian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 7(1), 18-32. https://doi.org/10.1515/ajal-2020-0003
Woolard, K. (2019). Code-switching and the sociolinguistic landscape. Journal of Linguistic Anthropology, 29(1), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.1111/jola.12216
Zahra, A. (2021). Code-switching in the workplace: A sociolinguistic perspective. Journal of Language and Work, 5(1), 32-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlaw.2021.01.003
Zahra, A. (2023). Language practices and identity in refugee communities: The role of code-switching. International Journal of Multilingualism, 20(1), 75-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2023.2163098
Zhang, H., & Li, J. (2019). The role of mobile applications in vocabulary acquisition among high school students in China. Language Learning & Technology, 23(2), 20-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.llt.2019.05.002
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Liam Byrne
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
