Code Switching Among Malay Teenagers

Introduction

Code-switching is a natural phenomenon in a bilingual or multilingual linguistic environment. It can be defined as the alternation between two or more languages between two interlocutors. The act of code-switching has been reported in literature as being often produced unconsciously, or as Wardaugh (1998, p. 103) puts it, [where] "…people may be not aware that they have switched or be able to report, following a conversation, which code they used for a particular topic." However, as unconscious as the act may be, research has also shown that code-switching (C-S) is not a random behaviour as well. Li Wei (1998, p. 156) has suggested that "…Sociolinguists who have studied code switching draw attention to extra-linguistic factors such as topic, setting, relationships between participants, community norms and values, and societal, political and ideological developments influencing speakers' choice of language in conversation." C-S is, therefore can be seen as being a purposeful activity as well with functions and intentions assigned to it. (Gumperz, 1971; Myers-Scotton, 1983; 1988; 1989, Hoffman, 1991).

The preceding paragraph has elaborated on the nature of C-S especially on its characteristics. Most of the literature on code-switching has dwelt on the function and motivation behind code-switching. A description of the various functions and associated literature of C-S will narrow it to the following: mitigating and aggravating messages (Koziol, 2000), effective production (Azhar & Bahiyah, 1994), distancing strategy (David, 1999), signaling topic change (Fishman, 1972; Hoffman, 1991), dramatizing key words (Auer, 1988), framing discourse (Koike 1987) and personalizing messages (Koziol, 2000).Within the Malaysian context, studies from researchers like Ariffin & Rafik-Galea (2001), Muthusamy (2007) and Karen Kow (2003) have also contributed to the body of knowledge concerning the act of code-switching.

Statement of Problem

The use of English has become increasingly the norm among Malay teenagers especially in the urban areas of Malaysia. This linguistic phenomenon has becoming noticeably more pronounced especially in insular linguistic environments such as boarding schools where the choice of interlocutors are relatively stable and finite. The phenomenon of code-switching in this case arises from the use of English interspersed with Malay. However, there is a lack of research concerning the actual act of code-switching from a quantitative perspective especially in terms of distribution of the word classes that are switched during the act of codes-switching. This mini research project aims to address this issue by providing a detailed description of the act of code-switching as well as addressing a common perception that code-switching occurs because of the lack of competence in the target language or as a feature