The Advantages on the Use of Code-Switching in Cosmogirl Indonesia Magazine
58 vocabulary item or when the language of conversation does not have the particular
word needed to carry on the conversation smoothly.” In accordance with this
research, the writer found that sometimes the words in Bahasa Indonesia are not acceptable to replace some particular words in English. It may create a strange
situation during the conversation. Kamisah Ariffin in Code-Switching as a Communication Device in Conversation also defined that studies have shown that
speakers accommodate and take into account other interlocutors’ linguistic factors in designing their speech Giles Smith, 1979; Bell, 1984; Giles, Coupland
Coupland, 1991. Speakers may diverge and converge their speech to accommodate the other interlocutors for effective communication. Hence, in terms
of communication, code-switching is used as a bridge to communicate more effectively.
Based on the result of the interview, four participants assumed that the use of code-switching in Cosmogirl Indonesia Magazine helped them in
understanding the information conveyed in the magazine. The participants argued the use of code-switching is a useful way to comprehend the content being
discussed in the magazine. In addition, participant B explained that the use of code-switching is related to a habit of using particular words. The analysis shows
that such a phenomenon occurs, perhaps due to the habitual use of the terms in English, the comprehensibility of the terms in English compared to Bahasa
Indonesia, and the availability of the English terms in the speakers’ linguistic repertoire. The use of English code-switching in which she is familiar with, has
helped her in understanding the information. She assumed that the unfamiliar
59 words of Bahasa Indonesia makes the information ineffective. In this case, a
closer look at the data shows that the magazine did not only switch the language due to the lack of vocabulary, but rather as a language preference. Thus, according
to her, it is better to use the original English words. In contrast, participant A had different opinion of code-switching which
occured in Cosmogirl Indonesia Magazine. She assumed that the use of code- switching in Cosmogirl Indonesia magazine is not really effective. She sometimes
found a stump code-switching which is unclear. As a result, according to her, since Cosmogirl Indonesia is an indonesian women’s magazine, it is better to
minimize the use of code-switching in order to avoid misunderstanding the information conveyed in the magazine.
2 Code-Switching is a Way to Support English Language Development
According to Richard Skiba 1997:4 as cited in Code-Switching as a Countenance of Language Interference, “although switching language in a
conversation may be disruptive to the listener when the speaker switches due to the inability to express herself or himself, it does provide an opportunity for
language development.” Drawing upon this quotation, code-switching is seen as a sample in which language development process takes place, rather than language
deficiency. Language development takes place through the applications of target language which are appropiate and code-switching may signal the need of
provision of appropiate samples. After analizing the interview result from the participants, the writer found
an essential point that code-switching is considered as a way to support English
60 language development. Indeed, the purpose of readers in reading the magazine is
to get information which are provided. But while reading the magazine, it is also possible for readers to acquire another language, in this case is English, since the
magazine uses English words in delivering information. It might not be realized by the readers, but actually in this process, the language acquisition has taken
place. The data that had been collected shows code-switching in Cosmogirl
Indonesia Magazine has significant influence on English language development. In this case, the use of code-switching provides opportunities for readers to enrich
English vocabulary. Participant B said that the use of code-switching enables her to enrich new vocabulary. She found many code-switching cases in Cosmogirl
Indonesia Magazine. These code-switching cases are in forms of words, phrases, and sentences. As a result, she could enrich her English vocabulary and
expressions by acquiring new words which have not known before. Participant C and E had a similar view of the advantages of code-switching in Cosmogirl
Indonesia Magazine. In the interview, participant C gave an example of process which could be considered as language development process. In the process of
reading, she found the word “cozzy”. She had not known the meaning about the word before. After finding the new word, she tried to find the meaning in
dictionary. As a result, until now, she still remembers the meaning of the word. Meanwhile, participant D gave additional information in terms of vocabulary
enrichment. Nowadays, there are many English expressions which are used in communication. It could be found in any kind of media, such as advertisement in
61 television, radio, newspaper, magazine, etc. This situation brings English to be
closer in daily conversation. English is not only seen as a subject which can only be learnt in educational context, such as in high schools, but it is also seen as a
language which can also be developed in natural settings, such as in daily communication. Rod Ellis 2003: 214 defined language acquisition in natural
setting as follows: A genereal assumption is that the learning that the learning takes place in
natural and educational settings is very different in nature. In natural settings informal learning occurs. That is, learning is considered to result
from direct participation and observation without any articulation of the underlying principles or rules...The former takes place subconciously as a
result of understanding what has been said or written in communication, and clearly corresponds to informal learning.
From the interview result, it can be seen that there is an application of vocabulary enrichment they have acquired by reading the magazine. Since the
language context in the magazine is not in an educational setting, thus, the vocabulary they have acquired mostly are used in daily communication,
particularly when they have a conversation with friends. In addition, two participants viewed that acquiring new vocabulary in the magazine is an indirect
learning which supports language development. They learned it unconsciously. Another situation which can be identified as a language development
process is when the readers found new vocabulary. When reading the magazine and finding code-switching cases they have not met before, the readers have
decision how they want to follow-up the new words. There are some ways of following-up the new vocabulary they met, such as asking another person,
opening dictionary, and the common one is guessing the meaning by inserting into
62 context. According to the interview result from the participants, all of them
described that the first step when meeting new words is to guess the meaning by inserting into context. In addition, participant E outlined she will open dictionary
to find particular words when she really wants to know the meaning of the words they have not known. In this situation, the writer considers the use of code-
switching may support English language development process. The occurence of English terms in Cosmogirl Indonesia Magazine can
develop the readers’ store of English vocabulary and expressions. In some cases where the magazine’s writers put explanation to some English terms might be
useful for the readers. By reading the magazine, the readers will obtain two advantages. First, information and entertainment from the contents of the
magazine and second, the readers unconsciously attain vocabulary enrichment. Ayeomoni 2006:94 states that code-switching “correlates positively with the
educational attainment of individuals”.