code-switching
using different languages in the same sentence
TRANSLATION
code-switching = Sprachmischung: zwischen zwei oder mehreren Sprachen oder Sprachvarietäten zu wechseln innerhalb eines einzigen Gesprächs
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
“Through media platforms and conversations bilingual speakers engage in, we unconsciously and frequently CODE-SWITCH across languages.”
Sarah Bassiry, et al. — Languaged Life (5th February 2023)
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“But in reality, it was my first experience of understanding the need to CODE-SWITCH if you want to seem to belong. To change the way you speak, to pretend you’ve had the same access to opportunities, and to know what they are talking about.”
Dhruti Shah — The Guardian (13th November 2023)
Did you
know?
code-switching
noun phrase
- code-switching, process of shifting from one linguistic code (a language or dialect) to another, depending on the social context or conversational setting.
Wikipedia
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PHRASE ORIGIN
The term "code-switching" first appeared in Hans Vogt's (1954) review of Uriel Weinreich's Languages in Contact (1953). Weinreich had used the phrase "switching codes”, apparently borrowed from information theory.
Typically for bilinguals, one of their two languages is dominant — impress your friends by explaining that one’s major language is called the “matrix language”, while the minor language is the “embedded language”.
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CODE-SWITCHING IS OK, NICHT WAHR?
Code-switching is not just about switching languages; it's about switching personas, blending cultures, and adding a touch of humour to a conversation:
“I told my friend, 'You have a real talent for organizing your Schreibtisch, it's like a work of Kunst!'"
While code-switching can add variety, we shouldn’t overdo it — too much can interfere with understanding and might even come across as pretentious.
If you're interested in a deeper dive, check out "Between Us: How Cultures Create Language" by Batja Mesquita — a fascinating investigation into the interplay of language and feelings.
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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:
“When having fun with English friends, I’ll sometimes CODE-SWITCH, using German words I know they’ll understand.”
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THANKS to Florian for suggesting today’s phrase and to Craig for the link to "Between Us".
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