Code-Switching

Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects in a single conversation, sentence, or even phrase. Far from being a sign of linguistic confusion, this phenomenon reveals a speaker’s high level of adaptability, social awareness, and cognitive agility. Common in multilingual communities, code-switching is not only practical but also deeply…

In multilingual societies, code-switching—the practice of alternating between languages or language varieties within a conversation—is more than a quirky habit. It’s a powerful linguistic and cultural tool that allows speakers to navigate social dynamics, express identity, and create emotional nuance. From Spanglish to Singlish, and from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) to professional jargon, code-switching…