Languages in Contact. Results of Bilingualism & Multilingualism.

Languages in Contact

Results of Bilingualism &

Multilingualism

Language Choice

Asymmetric principle of multilingualism

Some languages are more valued than another

The larger the number of desired roles a language enables its speakers to play in a given society, the

higher its place on the hierarchy & vice versa.

Diglossia

Diglossia

It is said to exist where there are two varieties with distinct functions- a prestige (or H) form used in formal settings and in writing, and a L form used in everyday informal communication. There are very clear differences in the functional load of the two varieties.

(Ferguson, 1959)

Examples-Diglossia

H Form L FormArab World Classical

ArabicRegional Dialects

Switzerland Standard German

Swiss German

Haiti French Haitian CreoleGreece Katharevusa Dhimotiki

1. Specialized FunctionsH Form L Form

Sermon in church Instructions to servantsPersonal letter Family conversation

University lecture Tutorial discussionNews broadcast Soap opera

Editorial, news story Political cartoon captionPoetry and literature Folk literatureSpeech in parliament

Differences in H and L forms

2.Prestige3.Literary Tradition4.Acquisition5.Standardization

Borrowing

–Words borrowed from one language

to another

Convergence

A lot of change in the vocabulary, grammar,

pronunciation and meaning of words in the

languages

Sprachbunds or linguistic areas

• Geographical proximity between

different language communities with

slow spread of features across languages.

Lingua Franca

A helping language, partially developed, that is employed over an extensive area

by people speaking different languages in order to communicate.

Other Outcomes• In colonial settings, long-term contact

between European and indigenous language led to the creation of ‘New Englishes’ such as ‘Singlish’ and ‘Pringlish’.

• No limit to what speakers of different languages will borrow or transfer from each other.

CODE MIXING &

CODE SWITCHING

Code Switching

• When two or more languages exist in a community, speakers frequently switch from one language to another. This is known as code switching.

1. It is functionally motivated2. It is governed by a ‘grammar of

consequences’

Code Switching

Hey there how are you?Am fine, long time no see, aur bolo kya haal

chal?Sab theek hai yaar, bas am a little busy these

days. Okay, how’s your worklife?Cool yaar, sab theek hai, acha hai.

Types of code switching

Situational Code Switch• The switch is in response to a change in

situation.

Eg. When a participant enters the scene.

Situational Code Switching( Change in Participant)

• Girl: Mom, Where is Rasheeda?• Mom: I don’t know.(Rasheeda, the maid, enters the room)• Girl: Haan Rasheeda, Jaa kar mera kamra saaf

karo.

Types of code switching

Situational Code Switch• The switch is in response to a change in

situation.

Eg. When a participant enters the scene.OR

To a change in the topic of conversation or the setting.

Situational Code Switching(Change in Topic)

(Ali goes to take help of a professor through a reference.)

• Ali: Asalamalikum.• Professor: Walikumasalam. Kia haal hai Ali?

Ghar mein sab kaise hain?• Ali: Sab theek hain, Allah ka Shukar. Sir, I was

wondering if you can help me with this research project.

• Professor: Oh sure, what is it about?

Types of code switching

Metaphorical Code SwitchThe switch has a stylistic or textual function

Eg. To signal a quotation, to mark emphasis, to indicate the punch line of a joke, or to signal a change in the tone from the serious to the comic.

Metaphorical Code Switching( to emphasize)

• Mother to her children:Well, Come here! Put these away, both of you

now!(children don’t respond)Idhar Aao tum duno!

Metaphorical Code Switching(To signal a quote)

• For the way he has fought for his rights consistently, Us ko to sher ka bacha ya mard ka bacha kehna chahiye.

Code Mixing

• A common mode of code switching is switching of languages within sentences, referred to as code mixing.

Code Mixing

Yeh train ka time change ho gaya hai kia?

Code Mixing and Borrowing

1. Borrowing is usually restricted to single set words; Code Mixing is done with phrases as well.

2. Borrowing can be done by monolinguals as well; for code mixing the speaker has to be a bilingual

3. Mostly nouns are borrowed; Code mixing can be done with any part of speech

Reasons for code switching- code mixing

• Both serve the same function

• Identity marking

• Neutrality

What type of Code

switching/Code mixing?

No one at the CCB was willing to say anything except that ‘is ka order ooper se aya hai’.

Both of them are unhurt Khuda key fazal sey, but Shazia has become paralyzed.

Hassan go and open the door. Tum Sajida ja kar chaey banao.

My unbending procrastination is one thing that repels the beauty of the world but they say ‘sabar ka phal meetha’

As they turned to me, I shrugged my shoulder with a ‘Bhai dekh lo, I am not carrying your purse’

I was badly stuck in work; anyhow,

tum sunao tumhara trip kaisa tha?

The whole thing is key bhaiya sab se bada rupaiya.

Their response, ‘ I think you are right madam,’ said a young man, city life and modern education makes men very beghairat.

Bus we reached there in time, but no body was there to receive us.

What is the reason for Code Switching/Code Mixing?

Very soon, I will be a big star in Bollywood. Main naumeed nahin houngi.

I got looks from them all and then a couple said aap aagay aa jaein.

Atif Amin feels that to some extend visiting therapists is an ameeron ka nakhra.

He is set to release some very interesting films, which he describes as happy-go-lucky movies. Aap ko pata hai aaj kal happy films ka zamana hai.

My colleagues kept worrying that piracy ho rahi hay we should stop it; I kept saying, "hooney do".

I cannot make new friends. Main buri, mairi dausti buri. That’s all.

I have to go wahn abhi, at any cost.

And an old friend of hers, a female writer, was so infuriated on being referred to as a ‘Cycle wali larki’ that she broke relations with her for good.

Publications have just become catalogues and designers have become shadi ka jora mills, not aiming to produce delicate pieces any more.

Talk about ‘lakkar hazam, pathar hazam’, they deserve a better deal, if only for their patience in eating such swill day after day.

"Logon ki samajh" is all he has to say about the society's attitude towards dance.

Code Switching/Mixing used by Pakistani media.

Amjad considered her as ustad se ziyada dost (friend rather than teacher). (January 22, 2006, Dawn)What was sworn upon yesterday as guiding principle will be chucked at the alter of expediency tomorrow as mere siyasi bayan (political statement). (January 22, 2006 Dawn)

According to one of them, they were not shunned by the public as lula, langra and apahaj (lame and paralyzed). (December 04, 2005 Dawn)

A poor hari (the farmer) can be sent to the gallows even on the mild accusation of a crime leveled against him by a noble. (March 27, 2007, Dawn)An honorable sardar or wadera (the landlord or chief) can walk free even after proven record of the most heinous kinds of crimes against him. (March 27, 2007, Dawn)

They alleged that the naib nazim (the vice municipal officer) was receiving threats to force him to part ways with the PPP-backed Awam Dost panel. (March 04, 2007, Dawn)