FUNCTIONS AND REASONS FOR CODE-SWITCHING ON FACEBOOK BY UTAR ENGLISH-MANDARIN CHINESE BILINGUAL UNDERGRADUATES
PURPOSE OF STUDY
This paper aims to study on the phenomenon of code-switching; data was analyzed qualitatively and not calculated and tabulated. The purpose is to indicate the positive factors of code switching for language education by discussing common factors related to the reasons and motivations for these phenomena. The aim is to give readers a clear depiction of how data was collected and analyzed in fulfilling the research purpose. Finally, the aim is to examine the phenomenon of code-switching in asynchronous or delayed computer-mediated communication (CMC) by bilingual university students.
SAMPLE/CORPUS
In this study, the corpus consisted of messages posted by Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Mandarin Chinese-English bilingual students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
(UTAR) on their Facebook profile pages. Data was then analysed based on an integration of Appel and Muysken’s (2006) six functions of code-switching and Malik’s (1994) ten reasons for code-switching.
(UTAR) on their Facebook profile pages. Data was then analysed based on an integration of Appel and Muysken’s (2006) six functions of code-switching and Malik’s (1994) ten reasons for code-switching.
FRAMEWORK/INSTRUMENT
The functions and reasons for code-switching were identified and classified based on a framework adapted from Appel and Muysken (2006) six functions of code-switching and Malik ten reasons for code-switching (1994).
METHODOLOGY
Instruments used is through referencing and surveying via Facebook and the research is done via Appel and Muysken’s (2006) six functions of code-switching and Malik’s ten reasons for code-switching (1994).
Selection of participants:
• Scope of study: Mandarin Chinese-English bilingual undergraduates from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).
• Sample of participants: 38 Mandarin Chinese-English bilingual undergraduates from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). 31 are female, 7 are male.
• They are aged between 21 to 25 years old and currently in their final semester ofdifferent majors in their studies such as Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting,
1) Data analysis:
• Qualitative data was collected based on the occurrence of code-switching and then analyzed in terms of the functions and reasons that they serve in the online written discourse.
• The data are being gathering by observation, examine and record the conversation (spontaneous) between the participants.
FINDINGS
The occurrences of code-switching seem to be appear from collected data with the majority of 54 out of 86 online messages post in Facebook by participant were in English with insertion of Mandarin Chinese.
The three functions that were mainly found in the occurrence of code-switching by participants in the social-networking website were referential, expressive and metalinguistic function. In addition to that, directive function was also found in several messages.
1) Referential function accounted for the largest number of code-switching. One of the main reasons is the lack of register in a language such as English which serves as a second language
2) Expressive function:
• Participants might switch code for habitual expressions to connote different meanings or intent.
• Speakers might also trigger code-switching as it affects the state of mind of speaker.
3) Metalinguistic function: speaker switches to another language in a conversation in order to provide quotation or report speech that is made by another person.
• Malik ten reasons for code-switching are:
1) Lack of facility
2) Lack of registral competence
3) Semantic significance
4) To address different audience
5) To show identity with a group
6) To amplify and emphasize a point
7) Mood of the speaker
8) Habitual expressions
9) Pragmatic reasons
10) To attract attention
CONCLUSION
This study concludes that the functions and reasons for switching codes are similar to those of verbal communication, but most of the functions of code-switching in spoken discourse that were proposed by Appel and Muysken (2006) can be applied to written communication which are referential, expressive and metalinguistic function, there are also functions that are not as relevant such as the poetic function. The result supports Chen’s (2007) findings where the expressive, referential and metalinguistic were identified as the most common functions of code-switching in online forum discussions
COMMENTS ON THE RESEARCH TO THE BIGGER SCOPE OF CMC
This study will add to the existing literature on code-switching, specifically on computer-mediated conversation. It is important as bilinguals will then be aware of the code-switching that occurs during online communication via social networking website.
Findings suggested that code-switching does occur in online written discourse and those functions and reasons for switching codes are similar to those of verbal communication. Code-switching triggers different functions between different genders and age groups in written discourse online. The occurrence of code-switching in asynchronous CMC practical in a larger number of participants containing students of dissimilar faculties so that the results are more considerable. In conclusion, code-switching can be used to achieve positive effects in online conversation by bilinguals for example to express group solidarity, create goodwill and emphasize a point as mentioned by Muthusamy (2009).
REFERENCE
• Choy Wai Fong (2011). Functions and Reasons for Code-Switching on Facebook by UTAR English-Mandarin Chinese Bilingual Undergraduates. Malaysia. UTAR.
REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS
The task was given after we have learn CMC, to summarize a journal. In this task, it was really helpful since we found a study that was conducted in Malaysia and the theories that was used is then applied for our research project. Hopefully this journal will help other classmates to understand better on the usage of computer mediated communication.
