CODE SWITCHING/CODE MIXING IS LINGUISTICALLY POSITIVE. DISCUSS.
...es to mix or switch to depending on the situation. This could easily lead to the evolvement of new languages like pidgin and Creole in West Africa. In a case where there is a problem choosing a national language this would be the easy solution. Code switching also is useful in keeping secrets from unwanted hearers. This is particularly true in case of travelling with public transport or discussing in a restaurant where one cannot help but have nosy people around. Although one may not have mastered all or both of the languages used, code mixing encourages one to learn more than one language. This is particularly true in a multilingual community where one may speak one language and yet may be living in a geographical area where another language is spoken. To be understood it would be expedient for him/her to speak in the local language but since he/she does not know it, he/she will then have to code mix to be understood and to fit in. In the process the said person gets to acquire a new language. Considering the one world village that is in emergence, code switching makes life a lot easier for the person who is not from the local area. Code switching also states the identity of the speaker. In a case where the lingua franca is English, when one person switches to address another in Ateso in a classroom situation, it establishes the fact that they are one of a kind in a sea of many. It also can be looked at as maintaining an identity in a multilingual situation. Sometimes, in order to make an accurate report, one has to report what happened in the language it was spoken this will ensure accuracy of the events. This is especially true in a home domain where a child may be reporting to a mother who may have just come from work what her grandfather said when he was leaving. There is a possibility that the language spoken between the mother and daughter is not necessarily that spoken with he grandfather, thus code switching will fit ithe bill. In Uganda (Africa) long ago money was not as valued as it is being valued today. Some topics are more appropriately discussed in one language that in another. It would easier for one to discuss money with a relative in English that in a native language. Also speaking to a member of one’s family in a business situation, say a shop, would be easier in one’s local language than in a lingua franca but when others come in then one has to switch to the lingua franca of the given place, to allow others to feel welcome. Having said the above it is also true that code switching/code mixing has its down side. This dilutes and distorts the principles of a given language. This is especially true in our country. There are new words being used that do not apply to English as a language and yet they are published in daily newspapers and put up in advertisements, words like ekisanga, kawa to mention but a few. These alienate visitors to this country who may be tourists or consultants bringing in much needed foreign exchange. This also leads to mediocrity in the command of a given language and in this case it is English. It can get so bad that it may be difficult for members of a given community to competently compete with a community where code switching/code mixing are hardly practised. Sometimes it even shows in poor academic performance in some schools. Principles of a language like the proper use of grammar, sentence construction, to mention but a few get lost in the process of code switching/code mixing. Sometimes code switching/code mixing also betrays meaning of a given language or word. Because of the fact that one may not necessari...