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Code-switching between Bangla and English in the Advertisements in Facebook

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Language in India www.languageinindia.comISSN 1930-2940 Vol. 19:11 November 2019
================================================================
Code-switching between Bangla and English in the
Advertisements in Facebook

Md. Mahbubul Alam, M.A.

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Abstract
Code-switching has become almost an inevitable occurrence during linguistic
communications among the bilingual speakers. Most notably, the imposing push of social media
has made the individual make strong and easy collaboration with the global communities which
has offered ample scopes of being bilingual and using more than one language and thus
occurring code-switching in both verbal and written communications. The present study
critically deals with the occurrence of code-switching between Bangla and English in the
advertisements in Facebook. Also, it shows comprehensive details of code-switching, its types,
causes and functions. The study reveals that there is massive incidence of switching between
Bangla and English languages in the appealing texts of advertisements available in Facebook.
Keywords: Bilingualism, code-switching, Facebook, advertisements, code.

1. Preliminaries
The arena of our everyday life is about to be subjugated by the overwhelming power of
post-modernism which is characterized with heterogeneity and multiplicity. It has affected
almost every stratum of our life. The gush of post-modernism has tailored our choice of language
too. We cannot, now a days, rely on one single language only while communicating with others,
may it be while speaking or writing. This is a technology-based society where the thrust of social
media has also accelerated the individual’s scopes for using more than one language. Language
is the inevitable phenomenon of human life that is the only medium of complete expression of an
individual’s inherent thoughts, wishes and imagination. Apart from dialects or local variations,
usually we grow up with the attachment of a single language. But where there is the context of
bilingual reality, or even multilingual, the speaker is influenced by the contents of second or
third language. In this situation, as Annamalai (1989, p. 48) observes, “constituents of one
language can be found with the constituents of another language in a number of linguistic
phenomena, namely lexical borrowing, transferring, interference, calquing, diffusion,
reflexification, codeswitching and codemixing, etc.(Cited in Redouane 2005, p. 1921).”
Occasionally, in the speech of a bilingual speaker there occurs the use of the linguistic contents
of some other language concurrently. The speaker switches his language into another and thus
occurs language-switching or code-switching. This means “the alternation and mixing of

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Code-switching between Bangla and English in the Advertisements in Facebook 1
different languages in the same episode of speech production” (Kharkhurina and Weib2014, p.
01) that happens to the bilingual speaker “both consciously and unconsciously” (Bishop2006).
2. Background of the Study of Code-switching
Code-switching was at the beginning misunderstood and was “erroneously attributed to
illiteracy and poor linguistic competence” (Montes-Alcala2012, p. 68). Code-switching was
‘scarcely noticed’ (Gardner-Chloros 2009, p. 9) by the scholars. Research on code-switching was
not notable and ‘slow to start’ (Milroy and Muysken, 1995; cited in Gardner-Chloros2009, p. 9).
Though code-switching was considered as a “sub-standard use of language” by the most of the
scholars in the 1940s and 1950s, however, later in the 1980s, it became “a normal, natural
product of bilingual and multilingual language use” to the linguists (Yaseen and Hoon 2017, p.
1). Hans Vogt in an article written in 1954 (Auer1998, cited in Bishop 2006, p.10) is said to have
used the term ‘code-switching’ first though “the earliest evidence of code switching research in
the U.S. dates back to the work of Espinosa (1911), (Benson 2001, cited in Bishop 2006, p. 11).
John J. Gumperz was the most influential in the study of code-witching. His works were
prominent in the arena of “sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, and the sociology of
language” (Nilep2006, p. 6). With his list of code-switching functions Gumperz “inspired many
subsequent scholars to refine or propose their own lists of functions” including McClure and
McClure (1988), Romaine (1989), Nishimura (1997) and Zentella(1997) (Nilep2006, p.
10).George Barker’s (1947) is another noteworthy figure who dealt with the concern of language
choice and code-switching in his description of language use among Mexican Americans in
Tucson, Arizona (Ibid, p. 3). Uriel Weinreich’s (1953) Languages in Contact is claimed to be an
important foundation for code switching research (Ibid, p. 4). Hans Vogt (1954) who was
inspired by Uriel Weinreich wrote Language Contacts which is cited the first article to use the
term “code-switching” (Alvarez-Caccamo 1998, Benson 2001, cited in Nilep 2006, p. 4).
3. Reality of Bilingualism in Bangladesh
No doubt Bangladesh is a monolingual country placing Bangla on the zenith. English is
still the foreign language (Huda 2013, p. 5), not second language. But the use of English is
increasing day by day as a result of the driving force of globalization. Though the government is
trying to establish Bangla everywhere, “the space and the role of English…could not be ignored
due to strong presence of English as the language of international correspondence (Rahman
2005, p. 3) and “there is significant evidence of use of English along with Bangla as code-mixing
and code-switching (Banu and Sussex2001, cited in Rahman, 2005, p. 3).
Tina (2014) voices a bit different that Bangladesh is neither monolingual nor bilingual
because “majority of the people do not speak two separate languages, having equal competence
in both” (p. 107). Still she agrees that there is the trace of code-switching in many aspects of
language use in Bangladesh (Ibid). Begum (2015) is more radical who argues that though
English remains formally the foreign language of Bangladesh, it is actually the second language
here (p. 239).
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4. Code-switched Advertisements and Facebook as a Platform
Choice of language in advertisement is a crucial issue. Style of language and its
presentation puts remarkable impacts on the minds of the consumers. Kannan and Tyagi (2013)
argue that in advertisement language choice “to convey specific messages with the intention of
influencing people is vitally important” (p. 3).In code-switched advertisement more than one
language is used alternatively. It is an advertisement where “the message is not presented in its
entirety in target languages” (Bishop2007, cited in Sulaiman et al., 2013, p.66).The
implementation of code-switching in advertisement is commercially helpful through which
“advertisers can really attract buyers to engage with the advertised products since the intended
message of the advertisement can be delivered effectively” (Sulaiman et al.2013, p.66, Sultana et
al, 2018). Facebook is now a day the most well-liked and extensively used social media all over
the world. It is now being used as a strong platform for advertisements. The seller can
effortlessly reach the customer rapidly even directly through Facebook live. Sultana et al (2018,
p. 5) observe, social media “has opened a gateway of enormous opportunities for the businesses
all around the world”.
5. Literature Review
5.1. Bilingualism
Bilingualism is a much talked about issue in socio-linguistics for some decades. Code-
switching is an important part of it. In fact, it is called ‘the pillar of code-switching’
(Bassam2014, p. 13). Bilingualism is the ‘root’ of code-switching which is considered as
bilingualism’s ‘natural product’ (Ibid, p. 114). In this age of globalization bilingualism has got
momentum in the expanded quarter of linguistics, like other fields of study. It is now the ‘most
common sociolinguistic phenomenon which includes switching and mixing of codes of different
languages into one another to interact and get the message across successfully’ (Chughtai et al
2016, p. 85).
The community practiced with more than one ‘prevalent’ language is conducive to the
existence and emergence of bilingualism, or a country which has two languages to be learned at
schools, or people who have learned a foreign language and use it ‘regularly’, in all of these
situations there is a convenient context for bilingualism (Grosjea 2015, cited in Ahna2017, p.
447). According to Spolsky, (1998, cited in Alam 2006, p. 54), a bilingualist “is a person who
has some functional abilities in a second language”.
Being bilingual, according to Hamers and Blanc (2000, p. 6), means possessing the
ability to speak two languages flawlessly. Bloomfield (1935, p. 56) opines that bilingualism
signifies ‘the native-like control of two languages’ (Cited in Hamers and Blanc (2000, p. 6).
Macnamara (1967) argues that “a bilingual is anyone who possesses a minimal competence in
only one of the four language skills, listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, in a
language other than his mother tongue” (ibid).
5.2 What is Code-switching?

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 Code-switching is characterized by ‘complex phenomenon’ that causes ‘multitude of
diverse interpretations’ based on ‘linguistic, sociolinguistic, psycholinguistic’ perspectives
(Yankova and Vassileva 2013, p. 118). Code-switching is “difficult to characterize definitively
(Bullock and Toribio 2009, p. 2). It is, as Hudson (1996, p. 51) observes, the “inevitable
consequence of bilingualism”.
Weinreich (1953) is said to have offered the earliest definition of code-switching by
defining bilingual people as individuals who switch “from one language to the other according to
appropriate changes in speech situation” (Naseh 1997, p. 202, cited in Redouane 2005, p. 1921).
Code-switching is “the use of two language varieties in the same conversation” (Myers-Scotton
2006, p.239). According to Al-Qaysiand Al-Emran (2017), code-switching implies the speaker’s
shift “from one language or a variety into another in the course of a text or a conversation” (p.
25). Trousdale (2010, cited in Mujiono et al 2013, p. 50) argues that code switching signifies
“the linguistic situation where a speaker will alternate between two varieties (code) in
conversation with others who have similar linguistic repertoire”.
5.3.Causes, Functions and Motivations of Code-switching
The question of causes of code-switching is very crucial in linguistics as we observe in
the remarks of Wei (2002) “One of the perennial questions in bilingualism research is: ‘Why do
bilingual speakers switch from one language to another in conversational interaction?’” (p. 156).
Hoffman (1991, p. 115, cited in Yaseen and Hoon 2017, p. 2) shares seven categories of the
reasons for code-switching. They are: (a) to talk about a particular topic. On occasion, we choose
a special language apart from the first language to talk about something special or emotionally
significant. For example, in anger we occasionally choose a different language in which we feel
more free and comfortable. (b) To quote somebody else. Hoffman explains this way- “sometimes
people like to say of some well-known facts or quote a prominent expression”. (c) To put
emphasis on something. In discussion, sometimes we want to put emphasis on something that we
express in another language.(d) Sentence connectors or interjection. Bilingual speaker for
creating sentence connectors or interjection use another language intentionally or
unintentionally. (e) To repeat for clarification. Sometimes the speaker switches his language to
repeat his speech for the better understanding of his speech. (f) To clarify the speech content for
the listener. For the smooth running of speech contents, the bilingual speaker may change his
code. (g) To express group identity. Group identity may be expressed by the speaker through
code-switching.
Echoing Hoffman (1991) Wardhaugh (2010) expresses his views that code-switching
signifies “a major identity marker for a group of speakers” (p. 98).Besides, Poplack (2000, p.
210) argues that “much of the literature on code-switching has focused on its social and
pragmatic functions”. Gardner-Chloros (2009) shares some functions of code-switching. The
speaker often switches code to “communicate something beyond the superficial meaning of their
words” (p.4). The comprehension and production of language can be understood through code-

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Code-switching between Bangla and English in the Advertisements in Facebook 4
switching that “provides crucial material for our understanding” and decoding meaning (p. 5).
Code-switching helps better understanding of grammar where code-switching acts as a ‘signpost’
(ibid). Auer (2000) mentions some sophisticated uses of code-switching like “changing the topic,
or the mode of interaction, or establishing sequential contrasts” (p.171).
Gumperz (1982, p.75) offers six functions code-switching- quotations, addressee
specification, interjections, reiteration, message qualification and objectivization versus
personalization (cited in Bassam 2017, p. 19). Koziol (2000, p. 28-38) shares some functions of
code-switching. They are- personalization, reiteration, designation, substitution, emphasis,
clarification, objectification, aggravating messages, interjections, parenthesis, quotation, and
topic shift (ibid, p. 20).
There are some social issues that put impacts on language choice, especially, code choice,
like “who you are talking to, the social context of the talk, the function and topic of the
discussion” (Holms 2001, p. 21). What is the social distance between the participants, or what is
the social role of the speaker is also an important factor for code-switching (ibid, p. 25)?

5.4. Types of Code-switching

Redouane (2005, cited in Ahmed et al 2015) shows two types of code-switching, a) intra-
sentential code-switching and b) inter-sentential code-switching. Intra-sentential code-switching
occurs when there is switching from one language to another, whereas, inter-sentential code-
switching is concerned with switching within the same sentence (p. 59).There is also another
type of code switching called Tag Switching where there occurs an insertion of a tag phrase from
one language into an utterance from another language. Romaine (1989) says that “this switch can
be inserted anywhere, which do not have too many syntactic limits” (Cited in Yaseen and Hoon
2017, p. 2).
Intra-sentential code-switching: In the intra-sentential code-switching the speaker switches
within the clause level and even “within the word boundary” (Hamers and Blanc 2000, p. 260).
The switch is done inside the sentence. Romaine (1991, cited in Yaseen 2017) expresses his
views that intra-sentential code-switching “poses the most risk for being misunderstood and it is
usually used by more proficient bilinguals” (p. 2). Syntactic risks are there in intra-sentential
code-switching. Example of intra-sentential code-switching-
a) ajker paper e Cadet College er circular published hoyese, tumi ki abedon korbe? (Bangla +
English) (An employment notice of Cadet College is published in today’s newspaper. Will
you apply there?)
b) amar birthday te wish koroni keno? Kono problem e poresile? (Bangla + English) (Why
didn’t you wish me on my birthday? Was there any problem?)
Inter-sentential code-switching: Inter-sentential code-switching is done at a clause or sentence
boundary where each clause or sentence is in one language or another. For example:
a) Ami aponar jonno kisui korte parbo na. You are late. (English+Bangla) (I can do nothing for
you. You are late.)
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Code-switching between Bangla and English in the Advertisements in Facebook 5
b) Kono kotha hobena. Keep silent. (Bangla+English) (Don’t talk. Keep silent.)
Tag switching: Tag switching is the switching of either a single word or a tag phrase (or both)
from one language to another. There remains no risk of syntactic violation in this type of code-
switching. Usually, fixed phrases like greetings are used here. Expressions like excuse me,
please, right, you know, I mean etc. are used in this switching. Examples of tag switching are-
a) We will go there next year, thik ase? (English+Bangla) (We will go there next year, shall
we?)
b) Please, amake sahajjo koro? (English+ Bangla) (Please, help me.)

Intra-word switching: Intra-word code-switching is mentioned in the Wikipedia. It

occurs “within a word itself, such as at a morpheme boundary”.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code-switching#Types_of_code-switching). For example:
“However, girls ra ajke ar porbena.” Here the English plural morpheme -s appears alongside
the Bengali prefix ra-, signifying plurality.
6. Significance of the Study
This study on code-switching is significant because although there have been some
previous studies on code-switching between Bangla and English in the conversations, status or
comments in Facebook, there is still no research-oriented study on the same topic in the
advertisements in this popular social networking arena. This study is noteworthy because
advertisements in Facebook are now very trendy and admired and so to study the advertisement-
contents, especially the linguistic contents, is very decisive. Therefore, the present research is
significant.

7. Objectives of the Study

The core objectives of the study are-
a) To find out the existence of code switching between Bangla and English in the
advertisements of Facebook.
b) To extract different types of code switching between Bangla and English in the
advertisements of Facebook.
c) To detect the rate of using Bangla and English in code-switching in the advertisements of
Facebook.

8. Research Questions
The present study will attempt to answer the following questions-
a) How much does code switching occur between Bangla and English in the advertisements of
Facebook?
b) What types of code switching between Bangla and English in the advertisements of
Facebook are there?

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c) What is the rate of using Bangla and English in code-switching in the advertisements of
Facebook?
9. Materials and Methods of Data Collection
Sampling
The sampling of this research is single approach textual sampling. Forty pieces of
advertisements of forty-five companies/ commercial sites have been chosen and the analysis of
code-switching has been done. Only those Facebook advertisements where code switching
occurred were collected for sampling.
Research Instruments
As sampling was done through Facebook with the help of a laptop and a Smartphone there were
no mentionable research instruments except these.
Procedure
For collecting data sample advertisements were selected at random from Facebook. After
collecting the data, they were compiled and analyzed linguistically.

10. Presentation of Results and Findings

10.1. Presentation through Tables
Table-1: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Chayabithi ছায়াবীিথ
Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Inter-sentential First Bangla then 3 3
English

Table-2: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Homemade Foods for Babies by Jafrin
Screenshot of the Original Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like page,
product, specific etc. 26 5
Intra-word পইেজর=Page+ এর
পইেজ=Page+ এ

Table-3: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: তাঁতপ ী-TatPalli

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Words like real,
Intra-sentential
experience, editing 19 4
Intra-word Experience + ক

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Table-4: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Tati Online-তাঁিত
Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text Code-switching Bangla English
Words like value, 22 3
Intra-sentential
add, outlet etc.

Table-5: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: HIJAB BOOK

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like always,
elegant, collection, hit,
joss, design etc. 7 8
Intra-word Page+এ, Collection +এ
Collection + েলা

Table-6: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Notunkini.cm

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like order, call, 4 4
inbox, message etc.

Table-7: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Homemade Foods for Babies by Jafrin
Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like mixed,
screenshot etc. 14 2
Intra-word Screenshot +এ

Table-8: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Transcom Digital

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like offer,
fridge, digital etc. 4 13
Intra-word Offer + এর

Table-9: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Airtel Buzz

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English

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 Intra-sentential Words like hello,
enjoy, offer etc. 26 9
Intra-word Airtel + এর
Messenger +এ

Table-10: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Rajarhaat.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla Bangla
Intra-sentential Words like offer, 3 7
free, delivery etc.

Table-11: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Nipun Deal Ltd

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like killer,
electronic,mosquito 17 4
Intra-word Gadget +

Table-12: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Romoni.xyz

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like facial, 13 2
massage etc.

Table-13: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Fresh Milk

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text (segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like mini,
free, autograph 2 5
Intra-word Autograph +সহ

Table-14: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Huawei Mobile

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like cool, offer 2 2

Table-15: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: r-ventures

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
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 Intra-sentential Words like digital,
apply etc. 9 7
Intra-word Startup + এর
Investment +এর

Table-16: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Kroyjogot.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like air 9 2
cooler, ultra etc.
Intra-word cooler+

Table-17: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Arabian Gypsum

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like farm,
interior, designetc. 14 4
Intra-word Design + টা

Table- 18: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Color Craze

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like last, 3 7
piece, black,
gorgeous etc.

Table- 19: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Keenlay.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text (segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like best, 7 4
quality etc.
Intra-word Discount +এ

Table- 20: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Tonni’s Collection bd.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text (segment) Code-switching Bangla English
First English 3 4
Inter-sentential then Bangla

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Table- 21: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Colorob Online Shop
Screenshot of the Type of Code- Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) switching Bangla English
First English 14 5
Inter-sentential
then Bangla

Table- 22: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: PriyoShop.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like 7 3
fest, visit etc.
Intra-word Fest +এ

Table- 23: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Jagoot

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like call, 11 8
colour, order,
guaranty, etc.
Intra-word Number +এ

Table- 24: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: daraz.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like best, 8 5
shopping, etc.
Intra-word Experience +এর

Table- 25: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: daraz.com

Screenshot of the Type of Code- Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like big, 4 3
sale, exciting etc.

Table- 26: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Angel Digital

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English

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 Inter-sentential First Bangla then 7 5
English

Table- 27: Nameof the Commercial Site/Company: Wooden Gift

Screenshot of the Type of Code- Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) switching Bangla English
11 11
Inter-sentential Bangla+English

Table- 28: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Ajkerkroy.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words &suffixes
Original Text (segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like bed, 9 7
order, sheet etc.
Intra-word Bedsheet +এর

Table- 29: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Ajkerdeal.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like 2 2
payment, cashback
Intra-word payment +এ

Table- 30: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Daraz Online Shopping

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like link, 9 4
app, spin, gift
Intra-word app +এ

Table- 31: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: AmaderSamogri

Screenshot of the Type of Code- Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like 4 3
exercise etc.

Table- 32: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Grameenphone

Screenshot of the Type of Code- Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) switching Bangla English

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 Intra-sentential Words like
pack, app etc. 7 5
Intra-word app +এ
pack +

Table- 33: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Power Back

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like click,
personality, order 13 5
Intra-word Personality + ক

Table- 34: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Customised Notebook

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
11 6
Inter-sentential Bangla+English

Table- 35: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Woodcarve

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Inter-sentential English +Bangla 8 6

Table- 36: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Winter Honey

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Inter-sentential Bangla+English 21 3

Intra-word Customer +গণ

Table-37: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Grameenphone

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Analysis Bangla English
Intra-word Speed +এ 1 2

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Language in India www.languageinindia.comISSN 1930-2940 19:11 November 2019
Md. MahbubulAlam, M.A.
Code-switching between Bangla and English in the Advertisements in Facebook 13
Table-38: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Prottasha Shop
Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like 1 3
offer, special

Table-39: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Priyomarket.com

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Intra-sentential Words like total, 6 6
solution etc.

Table-40: Name of the Commercial Site/Company: Amader Samogri

Screenshot of the Type of Brief Analysis Words & suffixes
Original Text(segment) Code-switching Bangla English
Inter-sentential Bangla+English 6 7

10.2. Graphical presentation of the results

Occurrence of various types of code-switching

30
25
20
15 29
10 19
5 9
0
Inter-sentential Intra-sentential Intra-word

Graph-1: Occurrence of various types of code-switching.

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Language in India www.languageinindia.comISSN 1930-2940 19:11 November 2019
Md. MahbubulAlam, M.A.
Code-switching between Bangla and English in the Advertisements in Facebook 14
 Use of Bangla suffix in Intra-word code-switching

1
1 1 3
এর
7 এ
েলা
12
সহ
গণ

Graph-2: Use of Bangla suffixes in intra-word code-switching

Use of Bangla, English and other words

400
300
200 371
228
100
7
0
Bangla English Others
(Hindi+Arabic)

Graph-3: Use of Bangla, English and other words

11. Pedagogical Implication

The findings of the research will contribute to the field of linguistics by revealing the
reality of the use of Bangla and English in Facebook advertisements. The findings reveal how
mixed the choice of language in Facebook advertisements is, how insensitive the use of Banglish
(Bangla + English) is there. The learners/experts in this field will also discover/re-discover
Facebook to see how uncertain, unbalanced, muddled the standing of the Bangla and the English
languages is, that will ultimately lead to a better and greater point of research for solving this
language hazard.

12. Limitations of the Study

This paper is not beyond limitations. It would be more resourceful if the researcher could
go to the people behind the advertisements to talk about various issues of code-switching. The

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Language in India www.languageinindia.comISSN 1930-2940 19:11 November 2019
Md. MahbubulAlam, M.A.
Code-switching between Bangla and English in the Advertisements in Facebook 15
number of samples could have been increased to show more validity of the findings, though the
area was done confined due to maintain a standard size of a research article.

13. Conclusion
In this age of globalization where people cannot but being connected to the wider
communities, code-switching is a reality and inevitable grip of the diverse nature of post-
modernity and an unavoidable linguistic behavior of the individual. As projected in the present
study, Facebook has added acceleration to the scopes for the occurrence of code-switching as it
(Facebook) is now the most used platform among other types of social media. Besides, code-
switching occurs more in the advertisements of Facebook because the sellers have to target the
buyer communities by using any required and convenient linguistic means. Thus, the language of
advertisements, especially in Facebook, is vulnerable to losing originality, standers and even
national boundaries.
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Md. Mahbubul Alam, M.A.

Lecturer in English
Pabna Cadet College
Pabna, Bangladesh
[email protected]

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Language in India www.languageinindia.comISSN 1930-2940 19:11 November 2019
Md. MahbubulAlam, M.A.
Code-switching between Bangla and English in the Advertisements in Facebook 18

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