Background of Study
Code-switching is a phenomenon that occurs in bilingual or multilingual settings. It occurs when the speakers use more than one language in their speech or conversation. In monolingual setting, code-switching is absolutely impossible to occur as the speakers only use one language when they speak.
In Malaysia, code-switching is a norm as most Malaysian practice it in their daily conversation. In this country, Bahasa Melayu is the main medium of instruction especially among the Malays. However, Malaysians also have other languages such as Tamil, Mandarin, Hokkien and the natives. On the other hand, English language is known as the second language of Malaysians as it is taught during the school years. Therefore most Malaysians are able to code-switch within as they are the multilingual society.
Language carries a responsibility as an introduction to a culture. There was a saying, “language is a first step in learning a culture” and in Malay there is a quote “Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa” which suggests that language is highly important and known as the identification of a culture. How about the act of code-switching? Code-switching does not have any identity, it is like cut and paste strategy from one language to another. In Malaysia, code-switching is viewed as a threat towards the mother tongue. On the other hand, different people have different view on code-switching. Some viewed it as a step in learning second language or as an alternative in learning it. Some of the language teachers in restrict the use of code-switching in the classroom and they prefer to use only one medium of instruction as they fear the influence of the alternate languages may affect the efficiency in learning the target language.
Code-switching is inevitable even for language students such as the students of Teaching English as a Second Language or known as TESL. Although they learn English for almost every day, they still code-switch in their conversation among their... [continues]
Code-switching is a phenomenon that occurs in bilingual or multilingual settings. It occurs when the speakers use more than one language in their speech or conversation. In monolingual setting, code-switching is absolutely impossible to occur as the speakers only use one language when they speak.
In Malaysia, code-switching is a norm as most Malaysian practice it in their daily conversation. In this country, Bahasa Melayu is the main medium of instruction especially among the Malays. However, Malaysians also have other languages such as Tamil, Mandarin, Hokkien and the natives. On the other hand, English language is known as the second language of Malaysians as it is taught during the school years. Therefore most Malaysians are able to code-switch within as they are the multilingual society.
Language carries a responsibility as an introduction to a culture. There was a saying, “language is a first step in learning a culture” and in Malay there is a quote “Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa” which suggests that language is highly important and known as the identification of a culture. How about the act of code-switching? Code-switching does not have any identity, it is like cut and paste strategy from one language to another. In Malaysia, code-switching is viewed as a threat towards the mother tongue. On the other hand, different people have different view on code-switching. Some viewed it as a step in learning second language or as an alternative in learning it. Some of the language teachers in restrict the use of code-switching in the classroom and they prefer to use only one medium of instruction as they fear the influence of the alternate languages may affect the efficiency in learning the target language.
Code-switching is inevitable even for language students such as the students of Teaching English as a Second Language or known as TESL. Although they learn English for almost every day, they still code-switch in their conversation among their... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
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(2011, 04). Code Switching Towards Platonic Relationship. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 04, 2011, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Code-Switching-Towards-Platonic-Relationship-670075.html
- MLA
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"Code Switching Towards Platonic Relationship" StudyMode.com. 04 2011. 04 2011 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Code-Switching-Towards-Platonic-Relationship-670075.html>.
- CHICAGO
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"Code Switching Towards Platonic Relationship." StudyMode.com. 04, 2011. Accessed 04, 2011. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Code-Switching-Towards-Platonic-Relationship-670075.html.
