Anthropology 311 50-10008
Dr. Afzal
6/7/18
Discussion Forum 2: Code Switching
The study of linguistics encompasses ample areas of study that include all aspects of
language. However, Anthropological linguists focus on why humans say what they, considering
many factors ranging from cultural context to the maintenance of practices and customs within a
society. It is important to recognize these elements because they help researchers recognize the
reasons behind certain characteristics of communication between humans that typically remains
as tacit knowledge to the speaker. Code switching is a prime example of this behavior and is
used by all humans regardless of the language they speak. This act can be defined as the conduct
in which a speaker will change the language, dialect, or accent used relative to the immediate and
indirect context at the time (Martin and Nakayama 2009). Code switching can be done at any
time for various reasons, such as assisting other speakers, avoiding assisting other speakers, or
convey a certain component of their identity. One can find many examples of code switching in
areas such as simple conversations, in a classroom between teachers and students, political
speeches, music, television, news casting, or any other environment where one may need to
express themselves in a way they cannot with only one form of language.
In the documentary, “The Global Tongue: English” (2001), code switching is prevalent
throughout. While its focus was on the “colonialization” of the English language, the program
inevitably presented various examples due its examination of the use of English in other societies
where it is not a native tongue. For instance, the use of English words or phrases used in German
advertising is a form of code switching, which requires its viewers to have at least at a competent
knowledge of the language. The act of code switching in these instances may be due to the
attempt at attracting more of a younger crowd, of whom would likely have a better knowledge of
Dr. Afzal
6/7/18
Discussion Forum 2: Code Switching
The study of linguistics encompasses ample areas of study that include all aspects of
language. However, Anthropological linguists focus on why humans say what they, considering
many factors ranging from cultural context to the maintenance of practices and customs within a
society. It is important to recognize these elements because they help researchers recognize the
reasons behind certain characteristics of communication between humans that typically remains
as tacit knowledge to the speaker. Code switching is a prime example of this behavior and is
used by all humans regardless of the language they speak. This act can be defined as the conduct
in which a speaker will change the language, dialect, or accent used relative to the immediate and
indirect context at the time (Martin and Nakayama 2009). Code switching can be done at any
time for various reasons, such as assisting other speakers, avoiding assisting other speakers, or
convey a certain component of their identity. One can find many examples of code switching in
areas such as simple conversations, in a classroom between teachers and students, political
speeches, music, television, news casting, or any other environment where one may need to
express themselves in a way they cannot with only one form of language.
In the documentary, “The Global Tongue: English” (2001), code switching is prevalent
throughout. While its focus was on the “colonialization” of the English language, the program
inevitably presented various examples due its examination of the use of English in other societies
where it is not a native tongue. For instance, the use of English words or phrases used in German
advertising is a form of code switching, which requires its viewers to have at least at a competent
knowledge of the language. The act of code switching in these instances may be due to the
attempt at attracting more of a younger crowd, of whom would likely have a better knowledge of
