SCOPE : JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING- VOL.

06 ISSUE 02 (MARCH, 2022) 62-66

Journal of English Language Teaching

| p-ISSN 2541-0326 | e-ISSN 2541-0334 |
https://journal.lppmunindra.ac.id/index.php/SCOPE/

Article

An Analysis of the Use of Code Switching in the Students' Conversation

Dede Irawan

English Education Department, Wiralodra University, Indramayu, West Jawa

KEYWORDS A B S T R A C T
Code-Switching; This present study aims to analyze the use of code switching in English
English Students’ Conversations; conversation. This study focuses on the types of code switching that are often
Sociolinguistics. used by students in English conversation. The present study employed
qualitative descriptive method. The participants were two first semester
students of the English education program at Wiralodra Indramayu University.
Before making observations, the writer first provided a conversation topic to
make it easier to analyze the types of code switching used by students when
speaking English. In this step, the writer observed the participants’
conversation using a recording device, then analyzed the results of these
observations and conducted interview with students to find out the
contributing factors of using code switching in their English conversation. The
results of study point out that the first student uses the types of code-switching
of inter sentential, intra sentential, and tag switching, while the second student
uses the types of inter sentential and intra sentential code switching. Several
contributing factors in doing the code switching are identified as nervousness,
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR(S): lack of vocabulary, and forgetting when speaking. Moreover, it is also defined
that the use of code switching when speaking English is aimed to facilitate the
E-mail: [email protected]
participants’ conversational fluency.

INTRODUCTION community. The individual remains bound by the rules of

Language as a symbol of sound produced by human games that apply to all members’ society.
speech tools is a natural phenomenon, but language as a
tool of social interaction in human society is a social As a communication tool and a means of interaction that
phenomenon, a cultural product whose mastery needs to only humans have, language can be studied internally and
be studied because language is also a cultural product. externally. The study is only carried out on the internal
Rabiah (2018) states that language is a means of structure of the language, such as its phonological
expression for humans, besides that human language can structure, morphological structure, or syntactic structure.
organize the forms of its expression. Language as This study will only present descriptions of the language
belonging to society is also stored in each individual, as without any connection to other problems outside the
we know each individual can act in the form of language, language. Language is not just a physical substance that is
and the behavior of these individual languages can have an object of science only, but its essence is broader
far-reaching effects on other members of the language because language cannot be separated from human

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30998/scope.v6i2.11483 Copyright ©2022

 DEDE IRAWAN/SCOPE :JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING- VOL. 06 ISSUE 02 (MARCH, 2022) 62-66

experience. The general function of language is a tool of switching. According to Al-Azzawi, et. al., (2018), people
social communication because in society there is who speak more than one language, or who have
communication or interrelation between members. Thus, commanded over more than one variety of any language,
every society is ensured to have and to use these social are generally very sensitive to the differences in the
communication tools. It can be understood that language vitality of the languages they use and they are equally
is a means of communication used by humans in everyday aware that in some contexts one variety will serve their
life, because through our language, we can interact with needs better than another. Thus, for language and
other people we can also find out the information that we especially speech that draws to differing extents on at
need. least two languages combined in different ways, for
Example, “This morning I berikan my task to Dosen
Language is developing in the society because there is an English”.
interaction between individuals in a society. Therefore,
that language is so useful in our lives through the cultural The similarity between code-switching and code-mixing
language of a nation. It can be fostered and be developed is that these two events are common in multilingual
to future generations, therefore we must know the societies in using two or more languages. However, there
principles of language use both from its grammatical is a significant difference, namely that code-switching
elements and character values generated from the occurs in each of the languages used and still has its
language and other things related to language. Almost all autonomy, carried out consciously and intentionally, for
of the above opinions state that language is a means of certain reasons. Meanwhile, code mixing is the main code
communication and interaction that is arbitrary, or basic code that is used to have functions and autonomy,
conventional, and a symbol of sound. Language is an while other codes involved in the use of the language are
important thing for humans to do because it will directly only in the form of pieces or only in the form of clauses,
preserve and make an inventory of the language. without function and autonomy as a code. If in code-
switching two autonomous languages are used alternately,
By studying and conducting studies on language, it will in code-mixing an element of another language is only
prevent humans from language extinction. Nowadays the inserted or inserted into a language that becomes the main
development of the use of language in society is already code or basic code. Meanwhile, code-switching is more
growing rapidly whereas some people use the English related to situational aspects.
language in daily activity. As we know that English has
been studied in the school, and it has to be a course in the There are some researches about code-mixing and code-
university, although in the fact that some of the students switching as have been done by Merilia and Adinda
still confuse and find some difficulties to use English in (2020) who investigate the use of code switching by
the teaching and learning process. There are some English lectures of English department that focuses on
difficulties faced among students in studying English, one analyzing code-mixing and switching in communication
of them is that they lack mastery of vocabulary learning language. Additionally, Octavita (2017) has
knowledge. Also, the pronunciation and dialect of English analyzed about code-switching in Novel The Devil Wears
difference is also influenced although some of the Prada By Lauran Weinberger: A Sociolinguistic study.
students use code-mixing and code-switching when they This research focuses on the use of code-mixing and
use English in teaching and learning process as well as in code-switching on radio announcer. Depending on these
the English conversation. researches, the writer is interested to develop research on
code-mixing and code-switching. The writer will focus on
Al-Azzawi, et. al. (2018) affirms that code-switching is a the analysis of the use of code-switching on the students’
transition event from one code to another in a speech conversations, because so far there are still many students
event. For example, speakers using Indonesian switch to who use code-switching and code-mixing in speaking
using regional languages. Code-switching is one aspect of English. The writer aims to analyze the types of code-
language dependency in a multilingual society, where switching or code-mixing that are often used by students
each language still tends to support its function and each more deeply as well as to identify the factors that
function according to its context. There is a transition contribute to the use of code-mixing and code-switching
from one language clause to another language clause, then on the conversation.
the event that occurs is known as code-switching.
However, if in a speech event, the clauses or phrases used
to consist of hybrid clauses, hybrid phrases, and each
clause or phrase no longer supports its function, then the There are several types of code switching which are
event that happens is code-mixing and it is not code- commonly investigated by some scholars, namely: inter-
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30998/scope.v6i2.11483 Dede Irawan 63
 DEDE IRAWAN/ SCOPE :JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING- VOL. 06 ISSUE 02 (MARCH, 2022) 62-66

sentential, intra-sentential and extra-sentential or tag participants’ conversation using a recording device, then
switching. In inter-sentential code-switching, the analyzed the results of these observations to map the
language switch is uttered at sentence boundaries in types of code-switching used by students. After that, the
words or phrases at the beginning or end of a sentence. writer conducted interviews with students to find out the
This type is seen most often in fluent bilingual speakers. contributing factors of using code-switching in English
The following type is intra-sentential where the switch conversation.
occurs in the middle of a sentence, with no interruptions,
hesitations, or pauses to indicate a shift. The speaker is RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
usually unaware of the shift. Lastly, extra-sentential or tag Nooyen (1999) asserts that language is closely related to
switching, this is the switching of either a single word or the people of an area as the subject or the actor of
a tag phrase (or both) from one language to another. This language as a means of communication and interaction
type is common in intra-sentential switches. It involves between groups with one another. This science is a
the insertion of a tag from one language into an utterance contextual study of variations in the use of people’s
in another language. language in natural communication. The variation in this
study is a major problem that is influenced or affects
There are many phenomena on the use of code switching differences in socio-cultural aspects in society.
when speaking in English, this is the reason of the writer Sociolinguistics is the study of the characteristics of
to develop research related to code switching in English language varieties, the characteristics of their functions,
conversation. The writer will focus on analyzing the use and the characteristics of their speakers as these three
of code switching in students’ conversations in the first constantly interact, change and change one another within
semester of the English education study program. This a speech community.
study will analyze the types of code switching that are
always used by students and also the factors that influence Some researchers analyze the use of code-mixing and
students in doing the code switching in the conversation. code-switching. The number of studies related to the use
of code-switching and code-mixing in the use of the
METHOD English language indicates that this research is very
The method of this present study employed a qualitative important along with mapping English language skills to
descriptive design that is aimed to analyze the problems students, so the writer will examine the types of code-
deeply. This descriptive study is used to identify and to switching that are often used by students in English
classify the elements or characteristics of the subject as conversation. Because it is important as an effort to
well as to describe the subject or to get information about evaluate English learning in the future, the writer argues
the current condition of a certain object. According to to conduct a study by using the other respondent that will
Johnson (2019), descriptive research is used to explore emerge another problem which can be developed as a
the phenomena by conducting the interview, focus group, term of research in Sociolinguistics.
and participants’ observation, shortly this study is more
flexible. In other words, in descriptive research, the In this section of study, the writer examines two students
information is obtained by an in-depth interview with the as participants. The data are taken by using recording
participants. It means that the qualitative descriptive is a when the students speak English. In this step, the writer
widely cited research tradition and has been identified as observes the participants’ conversation using a recording
important and appropriate for research questions focused device, then analyzes the results of these observations to
on discovering the who, what, and where of events or map the types of code-switching used by students. The
experiences and gaining insights from informants writer then conducts interviews with students to find out
regarding a poorly understood phenomenon. It is also the the factors of using code-switching in English
label of choice when a straight description of a conversation. Based on the findings of the study, the
phenomenon is desired or information is sought to writer identifies the types of code-switching on the
develop and to refine questionnaires or interventions. This conversation of which the data can be seen in the
present study recruited two (2) students in the first following table 1.
semester of the English department at Wiralodra
University as the participant and then the writer gave the
topic of conversation. The writer observed the

64 Dede Irawan DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30998/scope.v6i2.11483

 DEDE IRAWAN/SCOPE :JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING- VOL. 06 ISSUE 02 (MARCH, 2022) 62-66

Table 1: Types of Code-Switching in the English Conversation

No. Respondent Inter-Sentential Intra-Sentential Extra-Sentential/Tag

Switching

1. Student A 1. Aku selalu mengerjakan 1. She did not pass in the UAS 1. What?! Aku tidak
tugas pada malam hari, supaya Because tidak pernah collect lulus mata kuliah
in the morning will be enjoy tugas Speaking

2. If you are late collect the task 2. The lecturer will not come to
you will tidak lulus mungkin the class today, karena sakit so
we just sign the present list

3. English is very important 3. The lecturer of semantic is

because itu bisa membantu kita very cool ya bisa diajak ngobrol
berkomunkasi dengan siapapun gitu everywhere.
2. Student B 1. I am so confuse in grammar 1. I Cannot finish the
assignment, because tugasnya assignment quickly ya karena
sangat banyak saya kurang memahami what
should I do

2. Kita tidak akan lulus dalam 2. I think we have to finish

mata kuliah grammar without study of bachelor in this
collect the final assignment semester akan tetapi sangat
susah we have to finish some of
paper to get bachelor title.

3. In this semester, we just take

3. As we know in this semester 2 subject study dikarenakan kita
we use sistem pembelajaran online haya mengontrak mata kuiah
karena pendemik proposal so we have to share
information about paper.

In line with the results of this study, the data shows that c) As we know in this semester we use sistem
student A uses the type of code-switching in English pembelajaran online karena pendemik.
conversation among others: inter sentential, intra 2) Intra Sentential:
sentential and tag switching. The followings are the three a) I Cannot finish the assignment quickly ya
(3) types of code-switching used by student A: karena saya kurang memahami what should I do.
1) Inter-Sentential: b) I think, we have to finish a study of bachelor’s in
a) Aku selalu mengerjakan tugas pada malam this semester akan tetapi sangat susah we have to
hari, supaya in the morning will be enjoy. finish some of paper to get the bachelor title.
b) If you are late collect the task you will tidak lulus c) In this semester, we just take 2 subjects of study
mungkin. dikarenakan kita haya mengontrak mata kuliah
c) English is very important because itu bisa proposal so we have to share information about
membantu kita berkomunikasi dengan siapapun. the paper.
2) Intra-Sentential:
a) She did not pass in the UAS because tidak pernah Even though the two students had previously been given a
collect tugas. topic by the writer, they still do code-switching in English
b) The lecturer will not come to the class today, conversation. The two students argue that using code-
karena sakit so we just sign the present list.
switching in English conversations is due to several
c) The lecturer of Semantics is very cool ya bisa
diajak ngobrol gitu everywhere. factors including nervous, lack of vocabulary,
3) Tag Switching: forgetting when speaking, so they use code-switching
What?! Aku tidak lulus mata kuliah Speaking. when speaking English to facilitate their
conversational fluency.
While student B only uses inter-sentential and intra-
sentential as described in the followings:
CONCLUSION
1) Inter-Sentential:
a) I am so confused in Grammar assignment The results of this study indicate that the use of code-
because tugasnya sangat banyak. switching in English conversations between two students
b) Kita tidak akan lulus dalam mata kuliah Grammar is different. The first student (student A) uses three types
without collecting the final assignment. of code-switching, that is, inter-sentential, intra-sentential,

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30998/scope.v6i2.11483 Dede Irawan 65

 DEDE IRAWAN/ SCOPE :JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING- VOL. 06 ISSUE 02 (MARCH, 2022) 62-66

and tag switching. Meanwhile, the second student Merilia, S., & Adinda, I. (2020). The use of code
(student B) uses two types of code switching, such as switching by English lecturers of English
inter-sentential and inter-sentential. It is defined that the department. Lexeme : Journal of Linguistics and
reason of the two students do the code-switching in their Applied Linguistics, 2(1), 17.
English conversations is due to several factors, such as https://doi.org/10.32493/ljlal.v2i1.6991
nervousness, lack of vocabulary, forgetting when
speaking, so they use code-switching when speaking Nooyen, J. (1999). Sociolinguistics by Bernard Spolsky.
English is to facilitate their conversational fluency. Issues in Applied Linguistics, 10(1).
https://doi.org/10.5070/l4101005015
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The writer would like to thank to the lecturers and Octavita, R. A. I. (2017). Code Mixing and Code
students of Wiralodra Indramayu University who have Switching in Novel The Devil Wears Prada by
participated in this study. Also, thanks to the Lauran Weisberger:A Sociolinguistic Study.
reviewers, and editors who have carefully read this
manuscript. Scope : Journal of English Language Teaching,
1(01), 69.
https://doi.org/10.30998/scope.v1i01.872
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66 Dede Irawan DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30998/scope.v6i2.11483