UCBC code-switch from English to French : A Part from the Book Chapter : Analysis of Code-switching Used by Bilingual Students in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Case of Christian Bilingual University of Congo

This study was conducted at the Christian Bilingual University of Congo (UCBC) where both English and French are languages of instruction. All the UCBC community members, including the staff, the faculty, the students as well as the ground crews use English and French in their everyday conversation. It has been observed that the UCBC’s (UCBC community members) switch from French to English or from English to French in the course of their interaction, and this observation pushed the researcher to raise the following questions:

• Why do UCBC community members switch from English to French or from French to English in the course of their interaction?

What functions does code-switching have at UCBC?

The aim this study intends to achieve is to identify reasons why the community members of UCBC code-switch from English to French and vice-versa. In addition, it seeks to identify different functions that the code-switching practice has at UCBC. The study suggests two theses which will be verified throughout the study process:

Author(s) Details:

Mumbere Malonga Mashauri
Christian Bilingual University of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Also See : The Asserted Incompatibility is Contradicted by What Derrida Calls Inter-Dicta: A Part from The Book Chapter: Cultural Barriers or Flawed Hermeneutics: Martin Heidegger’s “Dialogue on Language”

Recent Global Research Developments in The functions of code switching

Incompetence in the Second Language:

• A study conducted with bilingual international students in Malaysia found that the main factor behind code-switching was their lack of proficiency in the second language.
• When students felt less confident in English, they switched to their native language for ease of expression and clarity [1].

Maintaining Privacy and Avoiding Misunderstanding:

• Code-switching allows students to convey their intended meaning explicitly.
• Privacy concerns and the desire to avoid misunderstandings prompt students to switch languages¹.

Ease of Speaking in the First Language:

• Students often find it more comfortable to express themselves in their native language.
• Code-switching becomes a strategy to communicate effectively while relying on familiar linguistic structures [1].

Unfamiliarity with Similar Words in English:

• When students encounter words or concepts they are unfamiliar with in English, they may switch to their native language.
• This helps them bridge gaps in vocabulary and maintain effective communication [1].

Factors of Code Switching among Bilingual English Students in the University Classroom: A Survey [2]

• This study proposes to identify and evaluate the factors that affect code switching in the university classroom among 15 bilingual international students.

References

1. Muthusamy, P., Muniandy, R., Kandasam, S. S., Hussin, O. H., Subramaniam, M., & Farashaiyan, A. (2020). Factors of Code-Switching among Bilingual International Students in Malaysia. International Journal of Higher Education, 9(4), 332-338.
2. Bista, K. (2010). Factors of Code Switching among Bilingual English Students in the University Classroom: A Survey. Online Submission, 9(29), 1-19. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED525827
3. Muthusamy, P., Muniandy, R., Kandasam, S. S., Hussin, O. H., Subramaniam, M., & Farashaiyan, A. (2020). Factors of Code-Switching among Bilingual International Students in Malaysia. International Journal of Higher Education, 9(4), 332-338.

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