These particular types of code-switching stated by sociolinguist above are often found in a conversational interaction, such as in the meeting, in the discussion, and in
the classroom when teaching-learning process is ongoing. These types of code- switching tend to explain how bilinguals differ from monolinguals in the way
languages are internalized. The use of these types of code-switching is actually related one another to the other section which discusses the reasons of code-switching
in a conversation.
2. Reasons of Code-Switching
If the previous section discusses the types of code-switching, in this section, the discussion is about the speaker’s motivations, or the reasons, for using code-
switching in a conversational interaction. As Mukenge 2012:587 stated that code-switching can be employed to create
humor, Gal 1988:247 says code-switching is a conversational strategy used to establish, cross or destroy group boundaries; to create, evoke or change interpersonal
relations with their rights and obligations. Wardhaugh 2006:110 adds that code-switching can actually allow speaker to do
many things such as assert power, declare solidarity, maintain certain neutrality when both code are used, express identity, and so on. Further, Wardhaugh 2006:104 also
revealed that there are actually two kinds of code-switching: situational and metaphorical.
Situational code-switching occurs when the languages used change according to
the situations in which the conversants find themselves: they speak one language in one situation and another in a different one. No topic change is involved.
When a change of topic requires a change in the language used we have metaphorical code-switching
. The interesting point here is that some topics may be discussed in either code, but the choice of code adds a distinct flavor to what
is said about the topic. Wardhaugh, 2006:104
Wardhaugh 2006:104 says that the reasons for switching from one code to another is actually including solidarity, accommodation to listeners, choice of topic,
and perceived social and cultural distance. The real example of the reason of code- switching as mentioned by Wardhaugh above, about solidarity, is the use of “saya”
and “aku.” These two Indonesian terms mean “I,” in English. When an Indonesian uses “saya,” it means that the person tends to show “power” and “distance” due to the
word that is often used in the formal situation such as in the meeting and press conference. Otherwise, wh
en the person uses “aku,” it means that the person tends to show “solidarity” due to usage of the word that is often used in informal situation
such as in small talk and daily conversation. Although the word is used in a sort of
informal situation, the word is believed to familiarize each other. After all, the motivation of the speaker is an important consideration in the choice. Moreover, such
motivation need not be at all conscious, for apparently many speakers are not aware that they have used one particular variety of a language rather than another or
sometimes even that they have switched languages either between or within utterances.
Mukenge 2012:586, on the other hand, in discussing on HIV and AIDS and sex issues in the film Yellow Card, mentions that code switching is used when there is
need to avoid directly referring to the words and phrases believed to be taboo in the PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Zimbabwean society. For instance, as described above, sex is referred to as “sleeping around”, or “pumping” and being sexually active is referred to as seeing the opposite
sex. Thus, a switch from ordinary language to euphemistic expressions within sentences or speech events is done first of all to save the face of the listener. Code-
switching also enables the speaker to avoid using explicit and offensive language in the face of the listening audience.
In fact, when code-switching occurs, the motivation, or the reasons of the speaker is an important consideration in the process. Hoffmann 1991:115-116 states
that there are some reasons the speaker uses code-switching in a conversation. There are 10 reasons stated by Hoffmann, which are:
1 Talking about particular topic
People sometimes prefer to talk about a particular topic in one language rather than in another, for example like expressing emotional feelings.
Sometimes, people feel free and more comfortable to express their emotional feelings in a language that is not their everyday language.
2 Quoting somebody
Sometimes, in a conversation, a speaker switches from mother-tongue into a foreign language in order to quote a famous expression, a proverb, or a
saying of some well-known figures. The switch involves the words that the speaker is claiming the quoted person said.
3 Being emphatic about something declare solidarity
Sometimes, a speaker who is talking in a foreign language switches the language into the native language in order to be emphatic about something,
like, for example, the interlocutor does not understand or does not speak the foreign language as fluently as the speaker. Therefore, the speaker switches
the language into native language, rather than keep speaking in the foreign language, in order to have a good interaction with the interlocutor.
4 Interjection inserting sentence fillers or sentence connectors
Interjection is words or expressions, which are inserted into a sentence to convey surprise, strong emotion, or to gain attention. Interjection is a
short exclamation like: Darn, Hey, Well, Look, etc. They have no grammatical value, but speaker uses them quite often, usually more in
speaking than in writing. Language switching among bilingual or multilingual people can sometimes mark an interjection or sentence
connectors. Otherwise, it may also happen unintentionally. 5
Repetition used for clarification Repetition used for clarification occurs, for example, when a lecturer explains
the particular material of the lecture by using language A and repeating the explanation for the same material by using language B. Frequently, the
explanation in language A is repeated in the language B literally. A repetition is not only served to clarify what is said, but also to amplify or emphasize the
message. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
6 Expressing Identity
Code switching can also be used to express group identity. This happens because the way of communication of one community is different from the
people who are out of the community. 7
Intention of clarifying the speech content for interlocutor According to Arimasari 2013:33 when bilingual or multilingual person
talks to another bilingualmultilingual, there will be lots of code switching occurs. It means to make the content of his speech runs smoothly and can be
understood by the listener. A message in one code is repeated in the other code in somewhat modified form.
8 To soften or strengthen request or command
Arimasari 2013:33 in her thesis explains that, for Indonesian people, switching from Indonesian into English can also function as a request
because English is not their native tongue, so it does not sound as direct as Indonesian. However, code switching can also strengthen a command since
the speaker can feel more powerful than the listener because he can use a language that everybody cannot.
9 Because of the real lexical need
One reason for a speaker to switch language from one into another is due to the lack of equivalent lexicon in the languages. For example, when an
English-Indonesian bilingual has a word that is lacking in English, the speaker will find it easier to say the word in Indonesian and vice versa.
10 To avoid other people join the conversation
Sometimes people want to communicate only with certain people or community they belong to. Therefore, to avoid the other community or
interference objected to their communication by people, they may try to exclude those people by using the language that nobody knows.
C. Theoretical Framework
In order to answer the problems on the problem formulation, at first the discussion on the theory takes place in understanding the basic concept of
sociolinguistics, code, and code-switching. As known, these three dominant parts are closely related and are the basic understanding to the topic being discussed in this
study. Some arguments upon sociolinguistics stated by some of the sociolinguists, such
as, Wardhaugh 2006:13 and Hudson 1996:4 are used to know the definition of sociolinguistics itself and its connection to topic of this study. Moreover, the theories
stated by Wardhaugh 2006:88, Rahardi 2001:21-22, Marjohan 1988:48, and Poedjosoedarmo 1978:30, are n
eeded to find out what ‘code’ actually is, in relation to this study. After discussing the other two dominant parts related to code-switching,
the discussion comes to the topic of the study, code-switching. In discussing code- switching, one point is taken out from most of the arguments given by sociolinguists,
such as Poplack 1980:583, Hoffmann 1993:110, Duran 1994:3, Wardhaugh 2006:101, Suwito 1983:67, Dell Hymes 1972:103, and Rahardi 2001:21, upon
