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The example above shows that the Catalan speaker switches code to the Spanish language when he speaks with the Spanish speaker. In this case, the Catalan
speaker does code switching in order to maintain the conversation with the Spanish speaker who shares the different mother tongue.
d Emblematic Switching
Emblematic switching, which is also called t ag switching, “involves the
insertion of a tag in one language into an utterance which is otherwise entirely in the other language
” Romaine, 1995, p. 122. In this case, an emblem or a tag is used to show certain feelings or emotions and to get an agreement. Here is the
example from a Spanish-American English speaker who said: [9]‘..Oh Ay It was embarrassing It was very nice, though, but I was
embarrassed’
Silva-Corvalan in Hoffmann, 1991, p. 112
c. Functions of Code Switching
1 The Functions of Code Switching According to Hoffmann
According to Hoffmann 1991 there are five functions of code switching:
a To Talk About a Particular Topic
People often switch code when they are talking about a particular topic as Hoffmann
1991 says ‘Talking about a particular topic may cause a switch, either because of lack of facility in the relevant register or because certain items trigger
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off various connotations which are li nk to experiences in a particular language’.
The following is the example: [10] Before doing fasting Moslem people usually do padusan in the river
and the beach. The example above shows that code switching is used by the speaker when there
is a certain topic that cannot be described in a certain language. In this case, the word padusan is a term that cannot be described in English. So, it is obvious that
the word padusan is the cause of code switching.
b To Quote Somebody Else ’s Words
In this case , code switching is used to quote somebody else’s words. The
speaker changes hisher language to the language that shehe is quoting. From the example below, we can see that the speaker alters his or her code form Spanish to
Catalan in order to quote someb ody else’s words.
E.g. An adult Spanish-Catalan bilingual: [11]‘... y si dices “perdon” en castellano, se te vuelve la mujer y te dice:’
‘... and if you say “sorry” in Castilian Spanish, the lady turns to you and says:’ ‘En catala’ ‘In Catalan’
Calsamiglia and Tuson in Hoffmann, 1991, p. 112
c To be Emphatic About Something
Code switching can also be used to show empathy to someone. In this case, code switching usually occurs when there are two persons having different mother
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tongue. Therefore, the speaker will alter hisher language according to hisher interlocutor.
E.g. A Spanish-Catalan bilingual: [12] ‘Hay cuatro sillas rotas y’ ‘There are four broken chairs and’ prou’
‘that’s enough’ Ibid in Hoffmann, 1991, p. 112
d To clarify something
In this case, code switching occurs when the speaker wants to be well understood. The speaker alters hisher language just to make sure that hisher
interlocutor understands what heshe is talking about. From the example below, we can see that the speaker translates the sentence form Spanish to English in
order that his or her interlocutor understand what he or she is saying. [13]‘Tenia zapatos blancos, un poco. They were off-white, you know.’
Silva-Corvalan in Hoffmann, 1991, p. 112
e To express group identity and solidarity
Code switching can also function to show belonging to a certain group or community. In this case, code switching can be used as a tool to strengthen the
relationship among group members of a community. In addition, code switching is used by the speaker in order to be accepted by a particular group. The following
is the example:
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[14] Sing ngomong beautiful mau sopo yo? From the example [14], we can see that the speaker did code switching from
English to Javanese in order to strengthen the relationship with his or her interlocutor who shares the same native language which is Javanese.
2. The Functions of Code Switching According to Sert
