Code- Switching and its Implications in Arabic Texts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.9578Keywords:
Sociolinguistics, code, code-switching, diglossia, Arab linguistic reality.Abstract
Objectives: This research aims to clarify the concept of code-switching in sociolinguistics and analyze this phenomenon through Arabic texts. The study seeks to identify linguistic differences within these texts to understand the implications embodied in these variations.
Methods: The research employs an analytical descriptive methodology to examine the phenomenon of code-switching in contemporary Egyptian and Palestinian Arabic. It explores various contexts to uncover the meanings and functions associated with this linguistic phenomenon.
Results: Code-switching serves to express social meanings, convey specific values, and act as a stylistic tool to create particular effects on the audience. It carries rhetorical functions that influence public perception. Switching to colloquial Arabic often aims to make political discussions more relatable and accessible to the public, fostering a sense of inclusivity. Conversely, switching to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) symbolizes power, authority, formality, and objectivity. As noted by J. Gumperz, code-switching frequently occurs in quotations, as seen in poetry where popular traditions are integrated within classical linguistic frameworks to evoke emotions and cultural resonance. While MSA is linked to formality and objectivity, colloquial language fosters intimacy and informality.
Conclusion: Speakers use code-switching strategically to align their speech with their audience, enhancing relatability and communication effectiveness. The stylistic variations in an individual’s speech reflect the social dynamics and variations present in specific contexts
Downloads
References
Abboud-Haggar, S. (2010). Linguistic varieties in twenty-first century Arabic novels: An applied study. In R. Bassiouney (Ed.), Arabic and the media (pp. 201–215). Brill.
Abdel-Jawad, H. (1986). Social functions of language variation. Al-Abhath, 34, 21–37.
Albirini, A. (2011). The sociolinguistic functions of code-switching between Standard Arabic and dialectal Arabic. Language in Society, 40, 537–562.
Alvarez-Cáccamo, C. (1998). From "switching code" to "code-switching": Towards a reconceptualization of communicative codes. In P. Auer (Ed.), Code-switching in conversation: Language, interaction, and identity (pp. 29–48). Routledge.
Alvarez-Cáccamo, C. (2005). A postscript: Code-switching and social identity. Journal of Pragmatics, 34, 403–410.
Bassiouney, R. (2002). The relationship between speaker role and code choice: A detailed analysis of a modern political speech in Egypt. Language, 3, 77–100. Cairo Linguists Group.
Bassiouney, R. (2009). Arabic sociolinguistics. Edinburgh University Press.
Bassiouney, R. (2010a). Redefining identity through code choice in Al-Hubb fi 'l-Manfa by Baha' Tahir. Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies, 10, 109–118.
Bassiouney, R. (2010b). Identity and code choice in the speech of educated women and men in Egypt: Evidence from talk shows. In R. Bassiouney (Ed.), Arabic and the media (pp. 97–121). Brill.
Bassiouney, R. (2013). The social motivation of code-switching in mosque sermons in Egypt. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 220, 49–66.
Bell, A. (1997). Language style as audience design. In N. Coupland et al. (Eds.), Sociolinguistics (pp. 240–250). Macmillan Publishers.
Blom, J., & Gumperz, J. (1972). Social meaning in linguistic structure: Code-switching in Norway. In J. Gumperz & D. Hymes (Eds.), Directions in sociolinguistics (pp. 407–434). Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Gumperz, J. (1972). The speech community. In P. Giglioli (Ed.), The sociology of language (pp. 219–231). Penguin Books.
Gumperz, J. (1982). Discourse strategies. Cambridge University Press.
Hammam, M. (2011). Text vs. comment: Some examples of the rhetorical value of the diglossic code-switching in Arabic—A Gumperzian approach. Pragmatics, 21(1), 41–67.
Hary, B. (1996). The importance of the language continuum in Arabic multiglossia. In A. Elgibali (Ed.), Understanding Arabic: Essays in contemporary Arabic linguistics (pp. 69–90). The American University in Cairo Press.
Holes, C. (1993). The uses of variation: A study of the political speeches of Gamal Abdel-Nasir. In M. Eid & C. Holes (Eds.), Perspectives on Arabic linguistics V (pp. 13–45). John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Holes, C. (1995). Modern Arabic: Structures, functions, and varieties. London and New York: Longman.
Ibrahim, Z. (2010). Cases of written code-switching in Egyptian opposition newspapers. In R. Bassiouney (Ed.), Arabic and the media (pp. 23–45). Brill.
Kim, E. (2006). Reasons and motivations for code-mixing and code-switching. Spring Issues in EFL, 4(1), 43–61.
Mazraani, N. (1997). Aspects of language variation in Arabic political speech-making. Richmond Curzon.
Milroy, L., & Gordon, M. (2003). Sociolinguistic method and interpretation. Blackwell Publishing.
Muysken, P. (2000). Bilingual speech: A typology of code mixing. Cambridge University Press.
Myers-Scotton, C. (1986). Diglossia and codeswitching. In J. Fishman et al. (Eds.), The Fergussonian impact (pp. 403–415). Mouton.
Myers-Scotton, C. (1993). Social motivations for codeswitching: Evidence from Africa. Oxford University Press.
Myers-Scotton, C. (1997). Code-switching. In F. Coulmas (Ed.), The handbook of sociolinguistics (pp. 217–237). Blackwell.
Myers-Scotton, C. (1998). A theoretical introduction to the markedness model. In C. Myers-Scotton (Ed.), Codes and consequences: Choosing linguistic varieties. Oxford University Press.
Woolard, K. (1998). Language ideology as a field of inquiry. In B. Schieffelin et al. (Eds.), Language ideologies: Practice and theory (pp. 3–47). Oxford University Press.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Accepted 2024-12-30
Published 2026-01-15
