* Word level: Switching individual words or phrases between languages. For example, "I want a *café*," using the Spanish word "café" in an English sentence.
* Phrase level: Switching between languages or varieties within a single phrase or sentence. For example, "I'm going to *la tienda* to get some *milk*."
* Clause level: Switching between languages or varieties at the level of clauses. For example, "I'm going to the store, *pero no quiero ir*."
* Discourse level: Switching between languages or varieties across entire segments of discourse. For example, speaking primarily in Spanish with a friend, then switching to English when discussing work.
Key aspects of code-switching:
* Contextualized: Code-switching is not random. It is often triggered by factors such as the speaker's interlocutor, the topic of conversation, the social setting, and the speaker's identity.
* Strategic: Code-switching can be used to achieve specific communicative goals, such as expressing solidarity, asserting identity, highlighting differences, or conveying a particular message.
* Dynamic: The way code-switching is used and interpreted can vary depending on the social and cultural context.
Examples of code-switching:
* A bilingual person speaking English to their boss but switching to Spanish when talking to their family.
* A teenager using slang words from different languages in their conversation with friends.
* A person using a formal variety of a language when giving a presentation, but switching to a more informal variety when chatting with colleagues afterwards.
Code-switching is a complex linguistic phenomenon that reflects the multilingual and multicultural nature of many societies. It is a way for speakers to express their identity, negotiate their relationships, and communicate effectively in different contexts.