Definitions of Code Switching

16 1 Diglossia The first type of code switching is diglossia. According to Holmes 2001, p. 9, diglossia is “a feature of speech community rather than individuals.” There are two distinctive varieties of code that exist in diglossia communities, namely high H and low L variety. High H variety is the prestige variety which is used in formal discourse, while low L is used in less formal discourse. People may employ H variety in the formal discourse, such as in presentations, interviews, formal correspondences, etc, but then they may switch to L variety when they speak with their close friends, or speak with their family at home. For example, Singapore, which is an English speaking country, is the most appropriate example of diglossic community. Many Singapore citizens use L variety such as Singapore English shortened as Singlish and Mandarin in their informal interaction with others such as, when they communicate with their families, when they bargain something in the traditional market, or when they interact with neighbors in their neighborhood. However, they also employ H variety, the Standard English, when they present a presentation in classroom or when they take a walk in interview in a corporate. 2 Situational Code Switching The second type is called situational code switching. It is “the codes may be perceived as different but be equally valued, and similarity the situations may be differentiated on grounds other than prestige” McCormick, 1994, p. 583. Based on the statement, the language change depends on the circumstances faced by the speaker since different circumstances may encourage the speaker to exchange the 17 language used. It happens when people switch from one code to another for reasons which can be identified and it is happened only in one context and without any change of the topic. For example, an English teacher may talk in English for the whole part of the explanatory speech of a present continuous tense to the first- grade students of junior high school. Unfortunately, the students have not understood about the teacher‟s explanation about the lesson, particularly how to use that tense. Then the teacher re-explains the lesson with Bahasa Indonesia. This example gives description that situational code switching happens without any change of the topic. 3 Metaphoric Code Switching This type of code-switching occurs in a conversation in which the role of relationship between the speakers may change. According to McCormick, 1994, p. 583 metaphoric code switching occurs in “whole conversation, each within one role relationship”. For example, a person goes to tax office to sort out her or his tax forms, and fortunately, the tax officer is her or his neighbor. Then, at first this person may greet the tax officer with their local language, their daily language, but then the person changes her or his language into the formal one to affirm her or his purpose to come to the tax office, which is to sort out her or his tax forms. At this point, the person changes the role of relationship from personal to official. In the other hand, the role of relationship between the speakers in a conversation may change.