Code-switching as a conversational strategy: evidence from Greek students in Edinburgh

Abstract

Fundamental questions like ‘why do people code-switch’ and ‘what are the functions of this linguistic phenomenon’ have always preoccupied researchers in the field. The present study aims to give an account for these questions examining a group of Greek students in Edinburgh. Ten hours of recorded conversations were analysed for the purposes of the study. Following a conversation analytic approach this project seeks to illustrate how and why Greeks employ code-switching, both when they form a group on their own and when they interact with other non-Greek speakers. It was found that in both situations, the speakers employed code-switching for purposes of quotation, self-repair and for reference to culturally linked items with the one or the other culture; however, in the second situation, CS was used for a variety of different functions, e.g. contextualisation of solidarity; but not only that, as the patterns observed in the participant constellation are very diverse and perplexed. A sequential analysis brings about the meaning of code-switching in the aforementioned situations.