Analyzing the Code-Switching of Given Sample

Switching back and forth between languages is called code-switching. According to Mesthrie, code-switching is “switch[ing] back and forwards between languages, even during the same utterance”.

       

The given sample, which is a guidance leaflet for a clinic or a hospital, clearly shows a case of Intra-sentential code-switching, meaning that the switches between the matrix and the embedded languages take place in the same sentence. In this case, the matrix language or the frame language is Bangla because it follows the S-O-V sentence structure for Bangla and the embedded or guest language is English because it serves as a content word provider, for example, the switching takes place for noun phrases (serving patient; case sheet; ward master office; medi-specialist in-charge) and one verb (hand-over). This verb is treated as an auxiliary for Bangla, in this case.

       

The second reason by which we can confirm that the matrix language is Bangla is the fact that the given sample follows the Equivalence Constraint. According to this constraint, code-switching cannot take place where the languages are structurally different. The given samples clearly maintained this constraint by correctly following the grammar of Bangla. For this reason, only the content words (basically the object and the verb) were switched, not the functional words of the matrix language.

       The sample provided here serves as a clear example of a positive attitude towards the English language. English is considered to be a High-prestige language in this Type-3 Bilingual society where both monolingual and bilingual groups exist. So, people feel more motivated to learn English as a second language and the sample clearly depicts how code-mixing Bangla and English is more convenient than just one of the two languages.