More specifically, Appel and Muysken 1987 define the speech functions of code switching as referential function, directive function, expressive function,
phatic function, metalinguistic function, and poetic function. Here are the definitions of those functions.
a. The Referential Function
The referential function involves the lack of knowledge or facility in a language. Chen 2007 states that “referential functions vary according to the
following: speakers might want to switch terms lack availability in other language, terms lack semantically, and speakers refer to the language in which
such words are available” as cited in Othman, 2015, p. 31. Here, bilingual or multilingual who can speak in two or more languages find that sometimes, some
words cannot be translated to other languages. Therefore, they choose to code switch to other languages which have the right or suitable words.
Indonesian teenagers, nowadays often do not understand the Indonesian term of some English words. For instance, they use the word ‘download’ instead
of ‘mengunduh’ or ‘update’ instead of ‘memperbarui’. Moreover, children have
been accustomed to use gadget since they are in elementary school or even earlier. They only know that download is an activity of getting or saving something song,
picture, video, movie, etc. from internet to their phone or PC. They do not know the Indonesian word of download. It can also be said that the referential function
mostly involves in technology’s term. Since technology are mostly produced in America and aboard, the terms which are related to technology are also in English.
Therefore, tecnology’s terms usually are not translated into certain language. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
The referential function can also refer to the use of code switching when there is no suitable word in certain languages. For example, the English term of
‘fighting’ does not have the suitable Korean term. ‘Fighting’ here does not mean
to hit each other or to join in a war. ‘Fighting’ here means that we have the spirit
to do something or to give support or encourage others. However, some Korean pronounce it as ‘hwaiting’ instead of ‘fighting’.
b. The Directive Function
