Running head: A SOCIOLOGICAL BRIEF ON BILINGUALISM AND CODESWITCHING
A Sociological Brief On Bilingualism, Multilingualism And Codeswitching:
Kadeem L. Robinson
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Running head: A SOCIOLOGICAL BRIEF ON BILINGUALISM AND CODESWITCHING
Abstract
This paper entails my observation of languages in less than a day. From my observation, I have
experienced eight distinct languages, the most common of them being Patois or the Jamaican
dialect. Ironically, English is my first language, yet it is dominated by Patois. Another
remarkable discovery involves my recorded encounters of Latin, the dead language. With these
observations, I have concluded that the preservation of languages can be successfully achieved
through different tactics such as movies, television shows and music. This paper also includes
my desired work for the future: a more in-depth analysis of codeswitching. This analysis should
include what I intend to do if I pursue my future work, which is to examine the incentives for
codeswitching in a conversation. Considering that I am a polyglot, this future research will not
have as many restrictions as opposed to this one. In this research I experienced several
limitations, specifically lack of interaction. With these limitations, the accuracy of the results
may not be similar if I had conducted this experiment over the course of a month or two.
Keywords: language, bilingualism, multilingualism, polyglot, codeswitching, patois, dead
languages.
Running head: A SOCIOLOGICAL BRIEF ON BILINGUALISM AND CODESWITCHING
Introduction
This sociological study highlights techniques such as bilingualism,
multilingualism, codeswitching and the use of dead languages today. Similarly, Garcia’s
publication examines and identifies the benefits of bilingualism, multilingualism and the
functions that they both serve in a society. The publication also tends to highlight the
death of several languages throughout history and the adverse effects of such.
Lowi examines all the components of switching from one language to another in
various events. She also analyzes when codeswitching occurs between four bilingual
participants; whether to show affection or to scold their relatives. The article also
evaluates the participants’ journey on acquiring their languages and their “attitude
towards their language…to help explain the ways that they codeswitched in
conversation” (Lowi, 2005, p.g. 12). This sociological brief aims to examine the different
types of language experienced within 22 hours, and decipher the most common language
amongst the others. Another purpose of this study is to identify how is it that a dead
language is still being experienced by a regular individual.
Methodology
My 22 hour observation of various languages entails remarkable language
techniques that were neither noticed nor acknowledged all my life. Throughout the 22
hours, the observation of languages took place in a variety of areas, ranging from
educational institutions, to public environment (trains and busses) and private
workplaces. Data was recorded by hand while timed on an iPhone’s stopwatch
application. A few occurrences led to a few restrictions of this study. Firstly, for several
Running head: A SOCIOLOGICAL BRIEF ON BILINGUALISM AND CODESWITCHING
hours I was in no contact with any form of language due to my unconsciousness for
several hours, thus resulting in fewer interactions with the different languages. For the
other hours however, I encountered several different languages. A language defines a
way of communicating through reading, writing, listening and speaking between
individuals. Any individual knowing more than two languages would define the term
bilingual. One who is able to use two or more languages simultaneously to communicate
to another would be called a polyglot; the act of doing so is known as codeswitching. In
this context, I am a bilingual polyglot, who easily codeswitches between English and
Patois, the Jamaican dialect.
Results
French, 3%
Latin, Japanese, 1%
2%
Chinese,
1%
Russian, 6%
Spanish, 17%
Jamaican Dialect,
37%
English, 32%
Fig# 2: Pie chart showing the languages observed in less than a day
Surprisingly, this observation has shown that my fist language: English has been overshadowed
by the Jamaican dialect, with a 5% difference. This goes to show that English may not be one’s primary
Running head: A SOCIOLOGICAL BRIEF ON BILINGUALISM AND CODESWITCHING
language as one may think initially. What is also remarkable is the presence of Latin, the dead language.
This particular language has been presented through old classical music which I frequently listen to. This
goes to show that a dead language may not be entirely dead but carries on by many means such as music.
Codeswitching
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
Codeswitching
40%
32%
28%
10%
5%
0%
Combination
Jamaican Dialect
English
Fig# 1: Bar graph illustrating codeswitchng between two languages.
Importantly, codeswitching has vitally impacted this sociological brief. Throughout the
22 hours, the total amount of minutes between English and the Jamaican dialect includes the
codeswitching technique which accounts for 32% of the whole time. Though the Jamaican
dialect still surpasses the two, I would have never expected codeswitching to exceed the
English’s percentage.
Discussion
In only 22 hours of observation, I observed a variety of languages in many different
settings such as: work areas, school, trains and busses. It is remarkable that my study, though
may be a bit inaccurate due to the limitations of time, has shown that my first language is not the
Running head: A SOCIOLOGICAL BRIEF ON BILINGUALISM AND CODESWITCHING
dominant language I encounter on a daily basis. This has made me amazingly aware that I live in
one of the most diverse areas in the world, where encountering languages serves as no difficulty
as opposed to if I lived in another area. This result has also allowed me to acknowledge that a
“dead language,” though not entirely used on a daily basis, still persists in many societies and
through many appreciators of art. Individuals, such as me, carry on the legacy and beauty of
these dead languages through music, calligraphy, television shows and so many other
approaches. Additionally, codeswitching plays a huge role in the lives of many bilinguals, whom
are unaware that through this simple technique of integrating languages, they are preserving the
cultures of several languages and dialects. Language plays a key role in the sustainability of
several cultures, to use even the slightest amount of a certain language, or dialect ensures that
cultures are not deteriorated as time goes by, as pointed out previously by Garcia in her
publication.
In only 16 constructive hours of observation, I encountered eight different languages.
Had this study been carried out for a longer amount of time, the list of encountered languages
would have surpassed that of this study. Limitations, such as no interaction with others or
movement from place to place, restricted the full accuracy of this brief. A more riveting
observation could come from observing codeswitching between Patois and English. Different
incentives for switching from one language to the next can range from ecstasy to anger and
dejection. I would examine which incentives are most frequent when codeswitching as Lowi did
in her study.
Running head: A SOCIOLOGICAL BRIEF ON BILINGUALISM AND CODESWITCHING
Works Referenced
García, O. (1992). Societal multilingualism in a multicultural world in transition. In Languages
for a Multicultural World in Transition. Lincolnwood Illinois: National Textbook
Company, pp. 1-27.
Lowi, R. (2005). Codeswitching: an examination of naturally occurring conversation.
Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Press.