The Disadvantage on the Use of Code-Switching in Cosmogirl Indonesia Magazine
63 The result of the interview from the participants shows that there are two
disadvantages which are led by the use of code-switching in Cosmogirl Indonesia Magazine. They defined the disadvantage of the use of code-switching will be felt
by readers who are not English learners. As described by participant D, there is a possibility that the use of code-switching in multitudes may hinder readers in
understanding the contents of the magazine. Instead of carrying smoothness conversation, code-switching may cause an incomprehensible situation in which
readers cannot understand the content of information being conveyed. As a result, code-switching might be a disruptive for them. This readers’ opinion is also
supported by the theory from Cook 2002:333 about the weak sides of code- switching. According to Cook 2002 as cited by Olcay Sert in The Functions of
Code-Switching in ELT Classrooms, “multilingual classrooms in saying that the application of code switching in classes which do not share the same native
language may create problems, as some of the students though few in number will somehow be neglected.”
The reduction of the familiarity of certain words in Bahasa Indonesia becomes the other disadvantage caused by the use of code-switching. As defined
by participant A, in her opinion, nowadays people tend to use particular words in English in which it is more familiar. Indeed, it is good in terms of effective
communication, but it may reduce the familiarity of Bahasa Indonesia equivalence words when it is never used. She gave an example by mentioning the
words “download”, “print”, “soft file”, and “hard copy”. She found her friends
64 tend to use the original English words rather than mengunduh, mencetak, data
lunak, and cetakan keras.