T1 112010103 Full text

REASONS FOR MIXING ENGLISH WORDS ON FACEBOOK POST
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Sarjana Pendidikan

Misael Aldo Walangitan
112010103

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
SATYA WACANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
SALATIGA
2015

REASONS FOR MIXING ENGLISH WORDS ON FACEBOOK POST
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Sarjana Pendidikan

Misael Aldo Walangitan
112010103

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
SATYA WACANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
SALATIGA
2015

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COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

This thesis contains no such materials as has been submitted for examination in any
course or accepted for the fulfillment of any degree or diploma in any university. To the
best of my knowledge and my belief, this contains no material previously published or
written by any other person except where due reference is made in the text.
Copyright@ 2014. Misael Aldo Walangitan

All rights reserved. No part of this thesis may be reproduced by any means without the
permission of at least one of the copyright owners or the English Department, Faculty of
Language and Literature, Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga.
Misael Aldo Walangitan

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Table of Contents
…........................................................................................................................................................ i
Approval page ................................................................................................................................. ii
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ................................................................................................................ iii
PUBLICATION AGREEMENT DECLARATION ................................................................................... iv
List of Figures.................................................................................................................................. vi
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1
Theoretical Frameworks ................................................................................................................. 3
Code Mixing ................................................................................................................................. 3
Why people do code mixing?....................................................................................................... 4

Communication in CMC and Facebook post ................................................................................ 8
The Study ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Research Question ....................................................................................................................... 9
Context of Study .......................................................................................................................... 9
Participants .................................................................................................................................. 9
Research instrument .................................................................................................................. 10
Data Analysis .............................................................................................................................. 10
Results ........................................................................................................................................... 10
Discussion ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 27
Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................................ 30
References ..................................................................................................................................... 31
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List of Figures
Figure 1 (post of subject 1) to create certain communication effect ............................................ 12
Figure 2 (post of subject 2) to make a point .................................................................................. 13
Figure 3 (post of subject 1) to express some concept more easily ............................................... 14
Figure 4 (post of subject 6) to exclude other people..................................................................... 15
Figure 5 (post of subject 2) to adressing........................................................................................ 16

Figure 6 (post of subject 2), quoting .............................................................................................. 17
Figure 7 (post of subject 3), imitating ............................................................................................ 18
Figure 8 (post of subject 4), wish to apply English ........................................................................ 19
Figure 9 (post of subject 6), prestige language.............................................................................. 20
Figure 10 (post of subject 5), automatically .................................................................................. 21
Figure 11 (post of subject 5), common words use ........................................................................ 22
Figure 12 (post of subject 7), mood ............................................................................................... 22
Figure 13 (post of subject 4), multiple reasons occurance ............................................................ 26

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REASONS FOR MIXING ENGLISH WORDS ON FACEBOOK POST
Misael Aldo Walangitan
Satya Wacana Christian University

Abstract
In conversation, bilinguals may tend to do code mixing. The development of the
internet offers a new medium for communication, know as Computer Mediated
Communication (CMC) where cod mixing continues to occur. The occurrence of code
mixing is based on several reasons (Hoffman, 1991; Kow, 2003). This research was

conducted to investigate the reasons people mix English words on Facebook. To fulfill
the aim of this study, there were seven Indonesian English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
learners as Facebook users selected in this study. Two instruments were used to get the
data, observations and interviews. Observations were integrated to look for posts
consisting of mixes of Indonesian and English words. From the observations, 3 posts
from each participant were used as the data. After analyzing the posts, the participants
were then interviewed to investigate their reasons in mixing English words into their
posts. The occurrences of mixing English words were analyzed using Kow’s (2003) 10
conditions. The results showed that there were reasons that were only 4 reasons identified
under the 10 conditions and there were other reasons outside the 10 conditions. These
differences might come from the fact that Kow’s (2003) classifications were based on
spoken interaction, while this study was conducted under CMC environment where
spoken and written features are both incorporated in the interactions.
Keywords: Code Mixing, Facebook, CMC

Introduction
In this recent decade, the development of Computer Mediated Communication
(CMC) helps human to conduct communication without limit. People are always
connected to their gadgets to access computer based communication in order to interact
with other people. The appearance of many social networking sites helps human’s

communication and interaction as the field of interaction. In web communication, the
occurrences of code mixing and code switching also appear in web based
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communication, like Facebook. The multilingual phenomenon was brought to CMC
because according to Danet and Herring (2003) in relation with Allwood and Schroeder
(2001), people might switch their language in web based communication as English
dominated the communication in this mode.
The studies of code mixing and code switching are seen in some aspects like
process (Muysken, 2000) and reason (Hoffman 1991). Since the occurrences of both
codes appeared in CMC, the occurrences of mixing language appeared in CMC field
communication. The occurrences of the use of both codes in CMC lead some researchers
to conduct the study of code mixing. There were some previous studies about code
mixing and switching in CMC like chatting analysis of both code in msn messenger
conducted by Isharyanti and Stella (2009). Also another study related to function and
reason in Facebook that was conducted by Choy (2011).
As people may mix or switch their language in web communication, this study
focused on the occurrences of mixing languages in a social networking site Facebook as
web communication. This study analyzed the reasons people mix English word/words on
their Facebook posts. The reasons were drawn from ten favorable conditions of code

switching proposed by Kow (2003) as reason classifications.

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Theoretical Frameworks
Code Mixing
Code mixing may refer to the phenomena of mixing more than two languages in
communication. Bokamba (1989) as cited in Ayeomoni (2006:91) defined that “codemixing is the embedding of various linguistic units such as affixes (bound morphemes),
words (unbound morphemes), phrases and clauses from a co-operative activity where the
participants, in order to infer what is intended, must reconcile what they hear with what
they understand”. It can be concluded that code mixing occurred below sentence levels,
such as phrase and word levels. This may also be related to what Isharyanti and Stella
(2009:69) said that “code mixing is also called intra-sentential code switching or intrasentential code-alternation occurs when speakers use two or more languages below clause
level within one social situation”. From the explanation above, it can be seen that code
mixing only occurred with chunks or small parts of language mixed in a sentence or
when people speak.
The study of code mixing is always related to the other type of mixing languages,
that is code switching. The difference can be seen in which code mixing only adds or
borrows words in a different language, while code switching occurrs in the same
utterance in a conversation above clause level or sentence. Isharyanti and Stella (2009,

p.68) stated that code switching or inter-sentential code-alternation occurs when a
bilingual speaker uses more than one language in a single utterance above the clause level
to appropriately convey his/her intents”. Also, it can be seen that the occurrence of code
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switching could appear more than clause level as it can be formed in sentence when the
utterance occurred in a conversation. Bhatia and Ritchie (1996) viewed that both codes
switching and code mixing refer to the mixing of various linguistic units. Also the term
of code switching appeared as one part of code mixing process in the study of Muysken
(2000) that is called alternation. From the both explanation, this study may use the term
of code mixing to cover both theories related to the study of both code types.

Why people do code mixing?
When people do code mixing, there might be reasons for mixing certain
languages. According to Kim (2006), bilinguals may do code switching and code mixing
based on reasons. Kow (2003) proposed ten favorable conditions when people might
switch their language. Those conditions were used as the classification for this study to
investigate the reasons from the participants. All of the reason classifications will be
related to other explanations from the previous study about why people switch or mix
languages. See below:

Lack of one word in either language

Bilingual people may switch their language when there is a lack of word in
particular language. This condition is related to the “lack of facility” by Malik (1994) as
explained in Muthusamy (2009) who explained that bilinguals may switch their language
when a certain language does not have a certain word needed in conversation.

In

addition, bilingual may mix an acquired certain item in one language, as they may not

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acquire it already yet in the other language or an item is temporary unavailable (Hoffman,
1991).
Some activities have only been experienced in one of languages

People may switch their language related to a certain activity occurred in a certain
language. This condition of code switching can be explained related to Boztepe (2005)
based on Fishman’s (1971) example about CS may occurred in a certain activity that

makes the speaker use a certain language, as an example of a relation between a secretary
and a boss in Puerto Rican. In certain activity, the boss switches to English as he dictates
a letter to his secretary, while informal conversation occurred in Spanish (ibid).
Some concepts are easier to express in one of the languages

This condition was also related to the explanation of “lack of facility” by malik
Malik (1994) as cited in Muthusamy (2009) that explained may switch their language
when they cannot find appropriate expression in order to convey the meaning. In
addition, Montes-Alcala (2005) states that some idiomatic expressions were difficult to
translate as would be better to express in one language as to avoid misleading of
understanding of what the user wants to convey the meaning.
Some words are easier to express in one of the languages

People may switch language in order to bring the conversation smoothly as it
might be easier to use a different language. This condition was closely related to the
explanation of “lack of r egister” by Malik (1994) as cited in Muthusamy (2009). This
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could happen when there are certain words that are not available to express in the
bilingual first language as they may switch the language.

A misunderstanding has to be clarified

People may switch language in order to clarify in a certain language. Kow (2003)
proposed that a condition may be related to reasons for code switching by Hoffman
(1991) that explained people may switch their language when the hearer does not
understand about what the speaker says in a different language.
One wishes to create a certain communication effect

This condition is explained as the wish to create communication effect with other
people. It is concerned with mixing another language to attract attention from other
people. It can be emphasised that in order to create the situation, code mixing may appear
as attraction to other people to be engaged in the communication. This condition is
related to Nerghes (2011) as cited in Eldin (2004: 81) that “code-switching will draw the
participant’s attention and will enhance their motivation to carefully scrutinize the
message presented”.
One continues to speak the language latest used because of trigger effect

People may switch their language as they continue to speak in another language
because of being triggered.

The trigger effect was explained by Riehl (2005) that

bilingual may switch their language because being triggered by some lexical item (trigger
words) in another language. Those trigger words are explained as other language words
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like proper nouns, lexical transfers, bilingual homophone and discourse marker from
other language, as she cited in Clyne (1991).
One wants to make a point

People may switch a language in order to emphasis an idea in conversation. This
condition is explained further by Falola (2008) that people may mix their language in
order to give a point about something in order to deliver or present what they think. The
same explanation also comes from Hoffman (1991) that explained that bilinguals may
switch their language when being emphatic about something. As people may make a
point as it can be emphasized about something, thus, emphasizing or highlighting by
mixing English words to deliver their idea.
One wishes to express group solidarity

Hoffman’s (1991) explanation with contribution from Oskaar (1974), Polpak
(1980) and Tuson (1984) suggested that code switching is also used to express group
identity to other members of the same group. People tend to mix a certain language to
express the identity as a part of a certain group.
One wishes to exclude person from the dialogue

People may switch their language in order to exclude a person from conversation
as the person may not know what the utterance means. This condition is related to what
Skiba (1998) proposed, that people may switch their language in order to exclude other

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people. Baker (2011) also mentioned that code switching may cover the private matter in
conversation that they want others to hear.

Communication in CMC and Facebook post
According to Yao and Flanagin (2006), the earlier perceptive of CMC was only in
text based as it only provides the reading and writing feature. This earlier conception is
related to the use IRC chat and email for communicating with other people. Along with
the development of communication media, people may have to interact with video
application like Skype that provides speaking and listening features. However, the
perspective of text based communication may also provide both speaking and writing
feature, as Chun (1994) in Sumakul (2010) said that online writing or CMC is a good
bridge between speaking and writing, with the strength of each mode supporting each
other. Crystal (2006) used another term called “netspeak”, as all elements of speaking,
writing, reading and listening are preserved in CMC communication.
The communication occurred in CMC may appear in two different types, which
are asynchronous and synchronous. According to Riva and Glimberti (1998), the
communication in CMC occurred simultaneously (asynchronous) chat and not
simultaneously (asynchronous) or there is a delay communication. Facebook facilitates
the users to update status and upload photo or video with caption. The post will be
appeared on other users’ newsfeeds in which the other users may leave a comment on the
post like in forum group discussion.

It can be seen that the communication on a

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Facebook post does not occurred immediately or real time like chatting. Thus, it can be
concluded that the communication in Facebook post is asynchronous.

The Study
Research Question
The research question for this study was “What are the reasons for EFL learners
for mixing English words on their Facebook posts?”
Context of Study
This research aimed at the occurrences of mixing English words on a social
networking site. The social networking site used for this study was Facebook. The data
were selected randomly by looking at the occurrence of English mixing words on
Facebook posts posted by the participants. The data were analyzed by asking the reasons
the participants mix English words on their Facebook posts.
Participants
There were seven participants in this study. The participants were Facebook users
who were studying in English Department of Satya Wacana Christian University. The
participants were selected because they were English foreign language learners. Thus, the
participants were selected using random sampling based on the occurrences of mixing
English words on their Facebook posts.

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Research instrument
There were two instruments used in this study observation and unstructured
interview. The data were taken from participants who were selected randomly by
observing the occurrence of mixing English word/words based on their Facebook posts.
Thus the participants' posts were copied as the evidence. They were saved in picture
format using ctrl + print screen and Paint application from Microsoft. The interviews
were conducted through unstructured interview in a direct interview using recorder and
chatting application via LINE and Facebook to ask the participants about the reason of
mixing English words on their Facebook posts. The results of the conversations were
transcribed using clean transcription.
Data Analysis
After collecting the data needed from the observation, interviews were conducted.
The reasons of mixing English words were analyzed based on ten favorable conditions
for code-switching by Kow (2003) for reason classifications.

Results
Twenty one Facebook posts from seven participants, three posts from each
participant, were analyzed. After the analysis was done, there were only four reasons
found based on reason classifications from Kow’s (2003) ten conditions:


To create a certain communication effect



To make a point
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

To express some concepts more easily



To exclude other people

There were some reasons from participants that did not belong to the conditions for
code-switching by Kow (2003). Thus the reasons by participants were classified from the
classification of reasons below related and explained to the other studies:


To address



To quote



To Imitate somebody as a trend



As prestige language



Automatically



Some words are common in use



Mood

One wishes to create certain communication effect
Only one post showed the occurrence for this reason classification. See the example
below:

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Figure 1 (post of subject 1) to create a certain communication effect

From the post above, the user mixed English words “the sad fact” at the
beginning of the sentence. The user explained the reason to get feedback (comments and
likes) toward to the idea on the post, as the feedback might be to give support toward
what the user thought. The user also stated that the English words were like a hook that
makes the status different from other status as English may attract other Facebook users
to get involved in the post by giving their idea through comments or likes as the
feedback.. Here is what the user mention during the interview:
“…I need like hook something that can, when people scroll down they
catch the English part even though then they then read the Indonesian
part... I want I to see how they also think I want to see their comment, I'm
not trying to debate on something but I want to know what people also said

for what I’m trying to say because when people click like or unlike it's only

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says that they agree with what you say or they only like what you say

doesn't mean that they have any other thought…”
To make a Point
There were four posts that showed the occurrence for this reason classification.
See the example below:

Figure 2 (post of subject 2) to make point

The user mixed English words “well, two things sir” in the middle of the
sentence. The English words were mixed as a reason of in order to criticize a certain
public figure. The user also stated that it was a sort of transition to deliver his critiques
after the background story or what he had already said before. Here is what the user
mention during the interview:
“Because I thought that using English will emphasis the next two points I
wanted to say, and it also some sort of transition after the background

story I've written earlier on that post… I actually wanted to criticize using
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those two points about a public figure, so by using English, I was like
saying the most two important things (my critiques) about that particular

public figure…”
Some concepts are easier to express in one of the languages
There were 3 posts showed the occurrence for this reason classification. See the
example below:

Figure 3 (post of subject 1), to express some concept more easily

The user mixed English words “rubber hot water bottle” in the middle of the
sentence. The user explained that he could not find the right words to describe it in
Indonesian. The user also stated the concept related to the term in English, as
Indonesian’s people do not have the habit to use “rubber hot water bottle”. From the
reason, it can be concluded that the user wished to deliver a concept about perception of
something related to English orientation. Here is what the user mention during the
interview:

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“… I can't find the right word to describe it in Indonesia... I think why we
don't have the Indonesian term for it because we Indonesians do not have
the ha bit to use one of these...”

One wishes to exclude another person from the dialogue
There were three posts showed the occurrence for this reason classification. See
the example below:

Figure 4 (post of subject 6) to exclude other people

From the post above the user mix English words “Jesus is the sweetest name I
know” at the beginning of the sentence. The user explained the reason as to avoid sarcasm

with a certain group community. The user considered to mix English words in order to
cover the meaning as it would be easier to recognize in Indonesian words. Here is what
the user mention during the interview:

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“Sometimes want to say something that is a secret, because not everybody
can speak English so just limited people will know the meaning… as some
of the Muslims don't like if we adore Jesus too much. I hide it to many
Muslims about it. It is a positive think that I don't want to make Muslims

feel dislike with my status.”
Below were the example of reasons that could not be classified to the conditions Kow
(2003) proposed:
To Address
There are two posts showed the occurrence for this reason classification. See the
example below:

Figure 5 (post of subject 2), to addressing

From the post above, the user mix English words “Don’t get stuck up on ur (your)
miserable drama ” at the end of the sentence. The user explained that the user wanted to

target the participants from same group. Here is what the user mention during the
interview:

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“...for the person who can read English I mean for Ed students.”
Quoting
The findings show that bilingual might be mixed in order to quote. There was
only one post showed the occurrences for this reason classification. See the example
below:

Figure 6 (post of subject 2), quoting

The user mixed English words “we already did our best for this year” at the
beginning of the sentence and ended the sentence by mixing “don’t get stuck up on ur
(your) miseable drama ”. The user explained the reason was to quote it as the user had

seen the quotation before. Here is what the user mention during the interview:
“... I’ve watch that, you know that quote before.”
Imitating somebody as a trend
In this study, it was also found that the occurrence of mixing English words was
based on imitating as a trend. There were three posts showed the occurrence for this
reason classification. Below is the example:
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Figure 7 (post of subject 3), Imitating

From the post above the user mixed English words “do I have to talk like Cinta
Laura from now on..? ” at the end of the post. In this post the user used a web app,

(http://shareappsworld.com/celebnew/) to determine which celebrity the user looked
alike. The user explained that she wished to imitate a certain public figure as her favorite
artist was the result from the app. The imitation occurred because the public figure has a
habit to do code mix when she speaks. Here is what the user mention during the
interview:
“…you know Cinta Laura like speak in Indonesia and also English, many
artist many people mock her because of her accent or her way to speak
like for example mixing English and Indonesia, so I just try to imitate her
but not orally but in written form like and because she is also my favorite

artist in my high school.”
Wish to apply English
This study found that the occurrence of code mixing was a wish to apply English that
had already been learner. There were two posts showed the occurrences for this reason
classification. See the example:

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Figure 8 (post of subject 3), wish to apply English

From the post above, the user mixed English words “a trip to remember ” at the
beginning of the sentence. The user explained the reason as she wanted to show that the
user wish to apply English. Here is what the user mention during the interview:
“…since I am a student of FLL,I have to make use of English, not only in
my way of speaking but also writing... like I've said I used English since I
wanted to show that I am a student of FLL who knows English and wants
to show that I can produce a good post (grammatically) in English.”

Certain language considered as a prestige language
The findings show the occurrences of mixing English words based on to show
prestige. There were five posts showed the occurrence for this reason classification. See
the example below:

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Figure 9 (post of subject 6) Prestige Language

From the post above the user mixed English words “Thanks God” at the
beginning of the sentence. The user explained the reason as it might be cooler. It can be
considered that the user saw the higher value by mixing English words. It can be
concluded that some people may see English as a prestigious language. Here is what the
user mention during the interview:
“It sounds cooler to say and write in English. English is a foreign
language so it gives us a higher level if we say…”

Automatically
It can be emphasised that the EFL learners as a bilingual may do code mixing
unconsciously or automatically. There are 3 posts showed the occurrence for this reason
classification. See the example below:

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Figure 10 (post of subject 5) automatically

The user mix English words “we already did our best for this year” at the
beginning of the sentence and ended the sentence by mixing “I love you”. The user
explained the reason was automatically when the user mixing the English words on the
post. As the user also concerned it was because the frequent use of English in her study as
a bilingual. Here is what the user mention during the interview:
“…English is like my second language, so I use it frequently like in
Indonesia but it less than I use Indonesia so I use English like is automatic
when I write that status I just automatic like use Indonesia and English

and mix it because I use English frequently… because I learn in English
department faculty and in my faculty I like to use English frequently.”

Some words are common in use
There are 3 posts show the occurrence for this reason classification. Below is the
example that showed the occurrences for this reason classification:

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Figure 11 (post of subject 3), common words use

The user mixed English words “comment” and “contact person” separately in the
middle of the sentence. The user explained because those words were familiar. Here is
what the user mention during the interview:
“…I used comment" and contact person since those words are familiar...”
Mood
There is only one posts show the occurrence for this reason classification. Below
is the example that showed the occurrences for this reason classification:

Figure 12 (post of subject 7), mood
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The user mixed English words “maybe one day these young folks will realize that
our culture is something unique” in the middle of the sentence. The user explained that

the mixing English words were mixed related to the user’s mood. He also stated that he
felt sad at that time. Here is what the user mention during the interview:
“…people use English in their post only based on their mood. When they
don't feel like, they don't want to use it so they won't use some English in a
post, Some unique sculpture that back then is easy to find now's getting

hard to get....”

Discussion
The findings showed that there were only four reasons based on the condition
proposed by Kow (2003) appeared. The other six reasons were not shown the
occurrences, there were Some activities have only been experienced in one of the
languages, some words are easier, more distinguishable and easier to use in one of the
languages, one continues to speak the language latest used because of the trigger effect,
Lack of one word in either language and one wishes to express group solidarity. It may
be concern that the richer data may be showing the occurrences for that reason
classification. However for reason ‘classification of activities’ have only been
experienced in one of the languages as it might be concern that this type condition may
refer to the model of macro code switching that is related to the explanation of Boztepe
(2005) language choice and code switching related Ferguson’s (1959) and Fishman’s

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(1965, 1972) that language choice may occurred in a certain activity. It can be considered
that that reason classification may not be used as reason classification as this research is
to see the activity and the occurrences of mixing English words in Facebook.
Below is the discussion of other seven reasons classification that cannot classified
into Kow’s condition:
To addressing
People may switch language in order to target or addressing different people in
the study of why people do code mixing, it can be seen that Code mixing May occurred
in order to target other people. This is also related to the reason proposed by Malik
(1994) as explained in Muthusamy (2009) that people may code-switching in order to
target different audiences.
Quoting
This reason classification may be explained from the Hoffman (1991) that said
people may switch language based on quoting somebody else. Also code switching May
occurred based on foreign language quotation (De Brabanter, 2004). From the
explanation above it can be concern that people may mix their language based on what
other people say and foreign language quotation.
Imitating somebody as a trend
Study from Turnbull (2015) found that people may do code switching imitate
someone in order to acquire or learn second language based on tone. However, Lam
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(2013) also stated that the Code switching and code mixing may view as a trend as people
may mix their languages with English. In this study, it was found that people may switch
their language as they imitates somebody‘s way of code mixing as it view as a trend.
A wish to apply English
The need of learning English as L2 for some Bilinguals was a need as they may
achieve learning it. According to Kim (2006), people may switch or mix their language
based on their need to acquire the language.
Prestige Language
According to Goyal (2003) stated that in India people code mixing with English
as they assumed it from the degree of prestige. It can be also concern that when people do
code mixed with some people may view English as a prestige language Mahootian
(2006). It can be concluded that from those two explanation as based on the finding in
this study that people may do code mixing as it considered as the prestigious language.
Automatically
According to Hoffman (1991) stated that the bilingual that was exposed with
mixed input, often mix their languages. Stocco et al (2014) explained bilingual’ had
control to switch their language where the switch occurred automatically control by the
input as the language exposure. In any occasion it might be concern that people may
unaware of the production of code mixing as they may stated it’s just happened.

25

Some words are common in use
According to The study of Ehsan and Aziz (2014) some people may do code
mixing, in consideration of some English words were already common in society due to
the exposure of English words in daily use.
Mood
In the study of mixing language, it may be concern that code switching may be
occurred based on speaker’s mood. This can be concluded According to Baker (2011),
code switching is also signaling the change of mood.
Multiple Reasons for Code mixing
In this study it was found a single post may have multiple reasons for mixing
English words on their post. Below is the example of multiple reasons for a post from a
subject:

Figure 13 (post of subject 4) multiple reasons occurrence
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The first reason: Prestige language
“..It is nicer, more comfortable for someone who loves English to say,
write or read in English.”

The second reason: Some concept is easier to express in one language
“..There is a deep meaning in English that we cannot say it in other
languages.”
The third reason: Imitating Figure

“..A recent famous trend to mix languages like Cinta Laura does. If you
see in the TV, many people mix the languages English and Indonesian .”

From the example above, the user explained three different reasons. The first one
was that the user considered English as a prestige language, Second, the user also stated
that the reason was related to the meaning that might not be said in another language as it
was related to a deep meaning. The third reason was a wish to imitate a certain public
figure.

Conclusion
The aim of this research was to identify the reasons EFL learners mixed English
words on their Facebook posts. This study observed the occurrences of mixing English
words from twenty one posts by seven different participants in which each participant
had three different posts. The posts were analyzed based on the reason stated from
27

participants. This study concluded that only four conditions appeared from the ten
conditions proposed by Kow (2003). They were one wishes to create communication
participant, to make a point topic, some concepts are easier to express in one language
lexical, and to exclude other people participant.
This study also presented seven reason classifications that did not belong to the
related condition by Kow. People mixing their language in order to address also related to
Malik (1994) as cited in Muthusamy (2009). Quoting can be done based on what other
people said (Hoffman, 1991) or quoting from foreign language quotation (De Brabanter,
2004). Imitating the habit of code mixing of a certain public figure, according to Lam,
was viewed as a trend. Code mixing with English words also showed degree of prestige
according to Goyal (2003). In any occasion, code mixing may be occurred automatically
or just happened for bilinguals, as bilinguals had control to switch their language where
the switch occurred automatically (Stocco et al, 2014). The common words used in
society also become a reason (Ehsan and Aziz, 2014) and code switching may occurred
based on speaker’s mood (Baker 2011).
It can be concluded that in certain cases the reasons of mixing English words in
Facebook post are the same as verbal communication. This shows that CMC also
incorporates the spoken feature of a language. However, there were cases where certain
conditions could not be applied in CMC environment. For example, this study found that
the condition of clarifying could not occur in CMC when people posted with mixing
English words as it may only appear in FTF communication where a speaker clarifies the

28

same utterance in a different language. This was not observed in this study, as it only
looked at the posts. This might be observed in the interactions within comments but was
not the scope of this study.
This study could provide more evidence on how social factors affect language
use. Moreover, this study also suggests that the development of technology offered by
Social media also influences the way people communicate. In addition to code mixing,
the features of this new medium for communication (CMC) are still open for exploration
to see its implication in language teaching and learning.
However, this study found only four conditions as reason classifications that were
proposed by Kow (2003). It will be better to have richer data in order to see the other
findings of reason classification used in this study. It will also be better to conduct the
study in different field of Facebook web communication, such as chatting. With the
increase and the development of many social media, it is suggested to conduct the study
of code mixing in other web based communication.

29

Acknowledgement
Being able to finish this thesis is a pleasing milestone. I would not have been able
to finish this without love, support and encouragement from many people. First of all, I
would like to thanks to Jesus for the guidance and blessing through all these days.
Second, I would also like to thank my father, mother, grandfather, sister, brother and my
two beloved nephews Joshep and Keagen who push me to finish this thesis through their
prays. Third, for my beloved supervisor, Dian Toar Y. G. Sumakul, MA and examiner
Christian Rudianto, M.Appling. for guiding and advising me in the process of thesis
writing.
My deepest gratitude also belongs to my beloved best friends Ojong, Oscar, Boy
and Tika for always giving me support and advice in my darkest hour. I want to say
thanks to Tenners, Pinaesaan EDBC and PSBII 2014 committee. Also I give thanks to
Sarno Army, Pepet, ko’ Bili Gode, Koteng, Tobs, Jejen Mamaro, Imep, Anggi, Indah,
Vini and Ronces for always be there for me. Also for my brothers Harvard, Malki and
Rafael for supporting me for my struggle in first year study. And also thanks for Reko,
Wakas and Jacq for giving me Inspiration and motivation. At last I would like to say
thank you for someone who gives me happiness and passion to finish this thesis .

30

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