Language Choice Insight into Code-switching on Facebook by Bangladeshi Users

Abstract

This study explores the occurrences of code-switching among a group of Bangladeshi bilingual users of Facebook in computer-mediated communication. The alternate use of two or more languages in a single discourse is known as the phenomenon of code-switching. The purpose of the study is to examine the patterns of code-switching in written texts of Bangladeshis. The different functions and reasons for code-switching are investigated. The data is analyzed from a structural and functional perspective. An integrated model of Poplack s (1980) CS model, Muysken s (2000) intra-sentential CS model and Myers-Scotton s (1993) markedness model is used to observe the patterns of CS behavior of interlocutors on Facebook profile pages in Bangladesh. The integrated model helps to cover more diversified CS behavior of bilinguals in a CMC mode. Inspite of typological differences between Bangla and English, this study finds instances of congruent lexicalization in CS behavior. The Study finds from data analysis that Muysken s model better explains intra-sentential CS than intra-sentential CS category of Poplack s model. But Poplack s model captures some aspects of CS, i.e. inter-sentential and tag CS, which can not be explored by Muysken s model. Further- more, the addition of markedness model (Myers-Scotton 1993) enriches the observation of the dominance of Bangla and English among interlocutors. The functional perspective of CS behavior uses and compares Appel and Muysken s (2006) model and Lalita Malik s (1994) reasons of CS. Data analysis shows that Appel & Muysken s functional model better explains the CS behavior of Facebook users and referential and expressive functions are most significant.

This study explores the occurrences of code-switching among a group of Bangladeshi bilingual users of Facebook in computer-mediated communication. The alternate use of two or more languages in a single discourse is known as the phenomenon of code-switching. The purpose of the study is to examine the patterns of code-switching in written texts of Bangladeshis. The different functions and reasons for code-switching are investigated. The data is analyzed from a structural and functional perspective. An integrated model of Poplack s (1980) CS model, Muysken s (2000) intra-sentential CS model and Myers-Scotton s (1993) markedness model is used to observe the patterns of CS behavior of interlocutors on Facebook profile pages in Bangladesh. The integrated model helps to cover more diversified CS behavior of bilinguals in a CMC mode. Inspite of typological differences between Bangla and English, this study finds instances of congruent lexicalization in CS behavior. The Study finds from data analysis that Muysken s model better explains intra-sentential CS than intra-sentential CS category of Poplack s model. But Poplack s model captures some aspects of CS, i.e. inter-sentential and tag CS, which can not be explored by Muysken s model. Further- more, the addition of markedness model (Myers-Scotton 1993) enriches the observation of the dominance of Bangla and English among interlocutors. The functional perspective of CS behavior uses and compares Appel and Muysken s (2006) model and Lalita Malik s (1994) reasons of CS. Data analysis shows that Appel & Muysken s functional model better explains the CS behavior of Facebook users and referential and expressive functions are most significant.