The Code-Switch Stigma

The ability to speak multiple languages can help a person advance and allow them to be connected to more people. It can be a really great thing to speak multiple languages. However, when being fluent in multiple languages, code-switching often happens. Code-switching can be defined as “switching between or mixing dialects and/or languages within one sentence, within one utterance, or within one conversation” (Curzan and Adams 263). While there is nothing inherently wrong with code-switching, it may be negatively stigmatized in certain families or cultures. The individual’s proficiency or fluency may be called into question. People don’t want to be known as someone who code-switches and may try to cover up the fact that they do. Code-switching is a completely natural action in bilingual speakers, but there is still a stigma placed on it.

Two bilingual students at Frostburg State University have interesting experiences with code-switching. Aeriel Oncita speaks both English and Tagalog. She considers herself fluent in both languages, stating that she learned Tagalog first and English around the time she started school because “it’s a requirement in school to learn both.” Oncita began to discuss code-switching with me before I even asked any specific questions about it. She states that when she’s on the phone with her mother and someone tries to talk to her in English, she might “switch to the other language” or even “have to switch accents.” This is fascinating that she mentions this before I asked any questions regarding code-switching. She experiences it so much in her daily life that she felt it was necessary to mention when just answering a question about speaking a different language with family than with friends. Her experience with speaking two languages allows her to express her experience with code-switching.

Ivana Rematt speaks both English and Spanish. She began speaking English first and Spanish around age three or four. She, unlike Oncita, does not remember learning her second language. Her father is American while her mother is Mexican, so she speaks English at home more often due to her father not being fluent in Spanish. Like Oncita, Rematt also begins to make references to how code-switching affects her life. She says that “sometimes I think in Spanish and have to translate,” implying that knowing two languages often makes it so that they can combine in her mind occasionally. Her experience with speaking two languages allows her to be conscious of code-switching and not feel stigmatized by it at all; even when she gets looks, she states, “I just shrug it off.” Though the experiences between Oncita and Rematt are significantly different, they both experience code-switching. Their fluency and proficiency in both of their languages affects their code-switching and most likely causes it.

Many people will code-switch without realizing that they do. However, Rematt says that she is aware that she code-switches often and that she will “be speaking Spanish and English will pop out.” Even though she is aware of her own code-switching, she says her mother “will start speaking in English and switch halfway through; she doesn’t even notice.” Some people may be aware of their code-switching, while others are not. Rematt code-switches most often when speaking Spanish because, she thinks, “Spanish isn’t the language [she] speak[s] the most often,” so when speaking Spanish, English is likely to be incorporated as well. Oncita says that when she is “speaking in Tagalog, I slip in English words more often.” Considering that both Rematt and Oncita speak English more often than their other languages, they are more likely to accidentally code-switch when speaking in their other languages. When asked what they think causes code-switching, both Oncita and Rematt had similar responses. Oncita believes that “the brain subconsciously blurts out words for you” without realizing it. Rematt thinks that since she “learned both languages as a child, [she] can switch between both languages without a problem.” Their interpretations on why they code-switch highlights the idea that bilingual people code-switch without meaning to. They code-switch due to the immense amount of knowledge about both languages and the ability to combine them without realizing it.

Code-switching does not mean that a person is less skilled in a language; in fact, it means the opposite. Rematt agreed with this, saying that code-switching happens because bilingual people “are so used to translating already,” so it’s no different. Translating requires intense knowledge about both languages so that everything can be translated correctly. Rematt believes that code-switching is a byproduct of being able to translate things. Oncita also agrees, stating that bilingual people “are so fluent in both languages that [they] have more vocabulary to use.” Their knowledge and vocabulary is greater than that of a monolingual person. This larger knowledge is what can make bilingual people instinctively code-switch.

The most intense thing a bilingual person can experience due to code-switching is the stigma. There is always a high possibility that there could be a negative stigma associated with code-switching, or speaking another language to those who don’t speak it. For Rematt and her family, “English is accepted and there is no stigma.” She is completely used to using both languages and doesn’t think there is any stigma associated with her speaking English or with her code-switching. For Oncita, however, there is a huge stigma in her family. Oncita says that her family makes fun of her for code-switching or speaking English because “they expect [her] to speak in Tagalog but sometimes words that pop into [her] head to fill a gap are in English.” This stigma that is associated with code-switching can make people unwilling to admit that they code-switch. Oncita says that when she code-switches, her family act like she is “forgetting [her] real language.” Depending on the family or community, code-switching can be extremely stigmatized. While Oncita claims that “it’s okay to code-switch” and she does it openly, other people may not think the same way. There should be no stigma attached to code-switching because it implies that a person has a large amount of knowledge about language.

Code-switching is an instinctive aspect of being bilingual. Bilingual speakers do this when they are fluent in both languages. It implies that they have an extensive knowledge of language and that they are able to combine their languages together to use more vocabulary. There is often a negative stigma placed on bilingual speakers and code-switching. People often think that code-switching implies that they have less knowledge about both their languages because they should be able to distinguish the languages from one another. This stigma should not exist and people should be able to code-switch and express their thoughts in a combined manner. Code-switching is important and it can greatly affect everyday life in a very positive way.

Resource

Curzan, Anne, and Michael Adams. How English Works: a Linguistic Introduction. Vol. 3, Boston, Longman, 2012.