ENG506 Treasure

Code switching is a well-recognized phenomenon in the speech of bilingual or multilingual people. Multilingualism: The use of two or more languages by a single individual or a community of speakers Multilingualism

•  More than half of world’s population is multilingual
•  Engages in code switching Code switching
•  The alternation between languages or varieties in the utterances of individuals
•  The practice of moving back and forth between two languages or between two dialects

Code switching

•  Alternation between varieties or codes, across sentences or clause boundaries

Code mixing

•  Alternations between languages or varieties within a clause or phrase

Code mixing Examples

Kio ke six seven hours te school de vich spend karde ne, they are speaking English all the time. (Punjabi/English) Have aqua please (Have water please). (Spanish/English)

Code switching Examples

Why don’t we all go together to New Delhi? N1 ki shaddi ki shopping bhi ho jaye gi Very soon, I will be a big star in Bollywood; main naumeed nahin hougni.

Code mixing may be intentional or unintentional

What prompts code mixing ?

Speakers may engage in code-mixing as a natural and unconscious language act

•  No apparent reason Example: They are planning to go to Hardwar on Monday. I will tell you pucca tomorrow. What necessitates code mixing
•  Representation of cultural elements of a situation She was absolutely free of any obligation from anyone — no one had the time to do sewa for her

What prompts code mixing?

•  Participant relationships
•  Situational factors
•  Language attitudes
•  Message intrinsic factors
•  Interjections
•  quotations

Borrowing functions to provide necessary elements that do not exist in the primary language being used a bilingual speaker lacks the exact word for the concept he or she wants to express

Aim of colonial language policy

•  To maintain British rule
•  Fulfill the economic purpose of the colonies
•  Avoidance of disruption to the empire

English: a language of anticolonial movements

•  English from a means of exploitation to a means of resistance
•  Empowerment of indigenous populations by learning English to oppose the empire
•  English as an instrument of liberation
•  Societal acquisition of English

Language policy in inner circle countries

•  English is the language of the majority
•  The issues is the role to be given to minority languages
•  Status planning involves different dialects of English
•  Only a minority of population is proficient in English
•  Despite being a minority language, English is powerful

Language policy in outer circle countries

•  Used by the elite
•  Language policy revolves around the role of English
•  The functionality of English is recognized and accepted

Language policy in expanding-circle countries

•  English lacks a strong population base
•  No official status
•  Enjoys a great deal of prestige
•  Has instrumental value

1. The English language may be used for official purposes until arrangements are made for its replacement by Urdu. Post partition language policy
2. 2. A Provincial Assembly may by law prescribe measures for the teaching, promotion and use of a provincial language in addition to the national language - Rahman, 2003

Language policy for Urdu

•  Urdu, the national language is the mother tongue of only 7.57 per cent of the population
•  English is Pakistan’s official language
•  Urdu was made the language of instruction for the primary level

Rationale for privileging of Urdu

•  Widely spread and is almost like the first language of all Pakistanis
•  Most jobs available through Urdu
•  A symbol of unity
•  Serves the political purpose of resisting ethnicity