Code-switching among competent bilinguals: a case for linguistic, cultural and group identity?

Abstract

It seems almost axiomatic that code-switching is a haphazard alternation and mixing between two or more languages. The conclusion drawn from this is that this must be a result of language deficiency in most bilingual speech communities where even in formal situations normative pressures still stigmatise this switching. Despite a changed expert opinion in its nature in recent years, a similar assessment is made of it in teaching/learning contexts where it is still related to lack of proficiency. This paper attempts to show that while language deficiency seems to be the reason for code-switching among learners or bilinguals, however, among fairly competent speakers, or users in bilingual communities, code-switching does not seem to be a matter of language deficiency but rather a spontaneous expression of their ambivalent psychological state, where there is a strong dual inclination to use both their L1 and L2 in specific communicative situations. The speakers/users are here identifying themselves with both languages and their equal competence.

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