Code-switching and code-mixing in Internet chatting: between 'yes', 'ya', and 'si'-a case study

摘要

This case study examined the occurrences ofcode switching and code mixing in a chatroombased environment. In Fall 2004, the chatroom conversations of 12 non-native speakersof English from Spanish and Indonesian backgroundswere collected during a two monthperiod and analyzed to identify: 1) frequencyof code switching and code mixing for bothcultures; 2) topics that triggered code switchingand code mixing in each culture; and 3)topics common to both cultures and topicsless likely to occur within both cultures. Thefindings suggest that technology-related terms,along with introductory terms, triggered moreinstances of code switching and code mixingregardless of the linguistic background of theparticipants. Conclusions and suggestions forfurther research are provided.