The Use of Code-Switching In Learning Language

of English Education Department

Sundari Fitri, Nuraini Agustina, Jihan Aldi Fathani

Emeliya Sukma Dara

Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara

@[email protected]

Abstract:

In daily life, we often observe the phenomenon where a person switches smoothly between two
or more languages in their conversation. Code switching occurs when a speaker consciously or
unknowingly uses words, phrases, or language from more than one language system or dialect.
The purpose of this research is to know the using of code-switching in learning language. In this
study the methodology used is a qualitative method. The results of this study indicate that many
students in the English education department actually use local languages and some even use
foreign languages, especially in daily conversation, but from the results it turns out that the use
of code-switching itself affects memory in learning the language in English.

Keywords: Code-switching, Learning language, Students

Abstrak:

Dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, kita sering mengamati fenomena di mana seseorang beralih dengan
lancar antara dua bahasa atau lebih dalam percakapannya. Alih kode terjadi ketika seorang
pembicara secara sadar atau tidak sadar menggunakan kata, frase, atau bahasa dari lebih dari satu
sistem bahasa atau dialek. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui penggunaan alih
kode dalam pembelajaran bahasa. Dalam penelitian ini metodologi yang digunakan adalah
metode kualitatif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa banyak mahasiswa di jurusan
pendidikan bahasa Inggris yang sebenarnya menggunakan bahasa daerah bahkan ada yang
menggunakan bahasa asing terutama dalam percakapan sehari-hari, namun dari hasil ternyata
penggunaan alih kode itu sendiri mempengaruhi daya ingat dalam belajar bahasa dalam bahasa
Inggris.
Kata Kunci: Code- Switching, Belajar Bahasa, Siswa

INTRODUCTION

In daily life, we often observe the phenomenon where a person switches smoothly between two
or more languages in their conversation. This is known as code switching, which is a common
practice in multilingual communities around the world. Code switching refers to a change of
language or dialect in a particular conversation or communication situation. This phenomenon
has attracted the attention of language researchers and linguists for decades because of its
complexity and impact on social identity, communication, and language patterns.

Code switching occurs when a speaker consciously or unknowingly uses words, phrases, or
language from more than one language system or dialect. This can occur at various levels, from
changes in single words to larger changes in language within a single sentence or discourse. For
example, someone may start a conversation in English and gradually switch to their mother
tongue as topics closer to everyday life are discussed. Code switching can also occur in different
situations, such as in informal conversations between friends, formal conversations at work, or
even in forms of mass media such as movies or songs.

The phenomenon of code switching involves many complex factors and is closely related to
social, cultural and linguistic contexts. Social and cultural factors include ethnic identity, social
status, group affiliation, and communicative norms within a particular community. For example,
someone who grew up in a multilingual environment where their parents spoke two different
languages may tend to code switching naturally as an accepted form of communication in their
family.

In addition, linguistic factors also play an important role in code switching. The grammatical
structure, vocabulary, and phonology of the language used have a strong influence on the
probability of code switching. Sometimes, a person may feel that words or phrases in a certain
language are more appropriate or expressive than those available in other languages, and
therefore choose to use code switching to achieve more effective communication.
Code switching can also have various functions in conversation. Some common functions
include expressing ethnic identity or group affiliation, showing intimacy or politeness,
highlighting certain cultural aspects, avoiding vocabulary gaps, or manipulating power in
communication. For example, someone who speaks the dominant language in their work
environment might switch to their mother tongue to show closeness to co-workers who have a
similar background.

The study of code switching has provided a deeper understanding of the complexities of
language and social relations in multilingual societies. In addition, an understanding of code
switching is also important in the educational context. Many education systems in multilingual
countries face challenges in accommodating the multiple languages spoken by students.
Research on code switching has provided insight into its effects on language development and
learning, and provided guidance for the development of more inclusive education policies.

In a broader view, code switching is a dynamic and complex phenomenon that is constantly
changing along with social, cultural and linguistic changes. Developments in communication
technology and globalization have also influenced the way code switching is performed.
Therefore, further research and deeper understanding of code switching will continue to be an
important topic for language researchers and linguists in the future.

Through research on code switching, experts have identified several theories and approaches to
explain this phenomenon. One commonly used approach is the sociolinguistic approach, which
pays attention to the social and cultural context in understanding code switching. This approach
sees code switching as a social act that can be used to build group identity or demonstrate social
affiliation.

Apart from that, there is also a psycholinguistic approach that studies the mental processes
involved in code switching. This approach sees code switching as the result of language
processing in the speaker's mind, including the ability to control and choose between different
language systems.

The phenomenon of code switching has also received attention in the context of language
acquisition in children who grow up in multilingual families. These studies have shown that
children can easily adopt code switching as an effective communication strategy to interact with
family members or peers who speak different languages.

However, although code switching has many benefits and is widely used in everyday
communications, there are also some critical views on this practice. Some argue that code
switching can threaten the integrity or continuity of certain languages. They argue that excessive
use of code switching can lead to language shift and abandonment of native or traditional
languages.

On the other hand, there are also views that advocate the use of code switching as a form of
inclusion and respect for language diversity. This view emphasizes the importance of
recognizing and valuing language diversity in a multilingual society, as well as providing support
for maintaining native languages and promoting multilingual learning.

In the context of globalization and technological advances, code switching has also entered a
new realm through social media and digital communication. The use of code switching in text
messages, online chats, or social media can be a more efficient form of communication
adaptation and a reflection of the dynamics of user culture and identity.

In conclusion, code switching is a complex and dynamic phenomenon in multilingual

communication. It is influenced by social, cultural, and linguistic factors, and plays an important
role in social identity, intergroup communication, and language development. The study of code
switching has provided a deeper understanding of language interactions and social relations in
multilingual societies. In an era of globalization and technology, code switching continues to
adapt and evolve, influencing the way we communicate and understand the diversity of
languages in modern society.

THEORITICAL REVIEW

Code switching has been the subject of extensive theoretical study in linguistics and
sociolinguistics. Experts have developed various theories and approaches to understand this
phenomenon and analyze the factors that influence it. The following are some relevant
theoretical studies in understanding code switching.
1. Sociolinguistic Approach: The sociolinguistic approach views code switching as a social
action that occurs in a particular social and cultural context. The code-switching theory by
Gumperz (1982) is one of the main theories developed under this approach. This theory
emphasizes that code switching occurs due to changes in communication situations or shifts in
social affiliation, and it is used to build group identity or show solidarity with certain groups.

2. Psycholinguistic Approach: The psycholinguistic approach focuses on the mental processes

involved in code switching. The theory of the bimodal approach by Myers-Scotton (1993) is one
of the well-known approaches in this field. This approach emphasizes the role of language
processing in the speaker's mind, including the ability to control and choose between different
language systems. This theory considers code switching as the result of using two or more
grammatical systems in one discourse.

3. Social Interaction Approach: This approach emphasizes the importance of social interaction
context in code switching. Courtesy theory by Goffman (1967) and bound access theory by Bell
(1984) are two theories related to this approach. Politeness theory explains that code switching
can be used to maintain and maintain harmonious social relations by following politeness norms
in communication. Bound access theory suggests that the use of certain languages or dialects in
code switching can be used to impress or confirm membership in certain social groups.

4. Language Acquisition Approach: This approach focuses on language acquisition in children

who grow up in a multilingual family. Studies in this field show that children can easily adopt
code switching as an effective communication strategy to interact with family members or peers
who speak different languages. This approach emphasizes the importance of social and linguistic
factors in language acquisition and understands the role of code switching in this process.

5. Structural Approach: The structural approach in the study of code switching pays attention to
the grammatical and phonological structures of the languages involved in code switching.
Structural convergence theory by Poplack (1980) is one of the relevant theories in this approach.
This theory argues that code switching occurs when speakers find structural similarities between
two languages or dialects, thereby facilitating the switch between the two.

This theoretical study demonstrates the diversity of approaches to understanding code switching
and provides insight into the complexity of the phenomenon. However, it is important to note
that these theories are often interrelated and can complement each other. The combination of
these approaches can provide a more comprehensive understanding of code switching,
considering the social, psychological, linguistic, and interactional aspects of the phenomenon.

METHODOLOGY

In this study the methodology used is a qualitative method. By using this research interview as a
data collection, using several informants namely students the aim is to identify the use of code-
switching in class. In this study, two stages were carried out, namely observation where
researchers observed students, especially in the English education department, to find out more
about how much they use code-switching in the campus environment and in class. Then the
second is an interview where informants are interviewed to obtain data about the use of code-
switching and the impact of code-switching itself. From the results of the interviews that have
been conducted, the researcher draws conclusions from the interviews in order to obtain results
and data from informants and how much code-switching is used in learning language.

RISULT AND DISCUSSION

The results of this study indicate that many students in the English education department actually
use local languages and some even use foreign languages, especially in daily conversation, but
from the results it turns out that the use of code-switching itself affects memory in learning the
language in English. Language conversation. Informants also said that on average students
majoring in English education were located in areas far from the city so they were more fluent in
using regional languages such as Padang, Batak, etc.

Therefore when they meet friends from the same area they chose to use their mother tongue, the
informant also explained that they still use Indonesian when their friends don’t understand.
When asked how often they use code-switching they said only in daily conversations and not for
presentations or seminar activities. Several students said that some of them could speak Batak a
little because they often listened to their friends. Code switching itself affects the level of
students in learning the language.
Code switching is the relationship between language and identity in terms of getting closer to
their race and avoiding the flow of globalization where many teenagers now often use slang from
local languages. The use of code-switching turns out that many scholars have focused on social
categories such as ethnicity. Rampton's (1995) work on crossing, a type of code-switching
practiced by speakers across boundaries of ethnic, racial, or linguistic communities, "examines
the language behavior of Asian, Afro-Caribbean, and Anglo adolescents in Ashmead, England.
Language varieties - Creole, Panjabi, and stylized Asian English - usually associated with ethnic
groups, is used by non-members to complete complex functions, while Rampton found that there
were, in fact, some language crossings where it was made fun of.

CONCLUSSION

This study has expose the use of other languages in communicating among Indonesian students
in the context of language learning. Through qualitative interviews, this study found that regional
languages are used for daily communication with friends and not in formal places or academic
activities.

Code switching can also occur in different situations, such as in informal conversations between
friends, formal conversations at work, or even in forms of mass media such as movies or songs.
Code switching can also have various functions in conversation.

Some common functions include expressing ethnic identity or group affiliation, showing
intimacy or politeness, highlighting certain cultural aspects, avoiding vocabulary gaps, or
manipulating power in communication. For example, someone who speaks the dominant
language in their work environment might switch to their mother tongue to show closeness to co-
workers who have a similar background. many students in the English education department
actually use local languages and some even use foreign languages, especially in daily
conversation, but from the results it turns out that the use of code-switching itself affects memory
in learning the language in English. Language conversation
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