Functions of Code-switching in Malaysia and Singapore

Abstract

Code-switching (or C-S) has been defined in various ways. As quoted in Soh (1984), Haugen (1956) said it is 'The alternative use of two languages'. As quoted in Soh (1984), Ervin-Tripp (1964) limits it - perhaps overly so - to just 'Stylistic alternation when a speaker changes his speech stylistically to suit different social roles'. This implies the use of just one language. Gumperz (1982) classifies code- switching into three varieties. He concentrates on conversational code-switching. He defines it as 'the juxtaposition within the same speech exchange of passages of speech belonging to two different grammatical systems or subsystems'. As this paper will look into examples from written discourse as well, Gumperz's definition is perhaps too restrictive. Marasigan (1983) 'C-S or code choice... refers to the use of two languages in the same sentence or discourse'. This will be the definition adopted for this paper which will seek to illustrate various functions of code-switching in texts obtained from bilinguals in Malaysia and Singapore.