Linguistics and Language Essay Example for Free

Linguistics and Language EssayWhile bilingualism has always been an mark of interest and thorough research for scientists of various fields, ad motleyture phraseologys had been, until the last a couple of(prenominal) decades, cast aside as its defective by-product. However, recent lingual studies show that intermingling languages should not be considered an ill-conceived overlapping tendency that implies carelessness and a improper use of language, but a linguistic phenomenon with its own intricate regulates and purposes.The addition of objectiveness towards this flying field has enabled linguists to describe in length the downsides and reachs of intermingling languages. None of the pros and cons dismiss be treated with absolute certainty as language commingle itself is often subject to different interpretations. The term intermingling languages is sometimes replaced with enrol slip or rule meld, and the latter two treated as synonyms, although their meaning diffe rs in two-fold aspects.Code switching implies that the alternation amid languages takes place after longer periods of time. Since commandment-switch mostly occurs at a clause or sentence boundary, it is referred to as intersential switching. According to the Sridhar brformer(a)s (1980) engrave mixing comprises of changing languages after of a suddener utterances within a wholeness sentence, and buttocks therefore be considered intrasential. Unlike code switching, it is not accompanied by a shift in speech situation.Code mixing also differs from borrowing, which is a less comprehensive form of using multiple languages in a short period of time. Code mixing, unlike borrowing, is not necessarily caused by a lexical gap in the host language. Neither are the mixed elements particular to a collection of terms accepted by the speech community. The mixed sequences are longer than single words (as is immanent to borrowing), but they are not always assimilated into the base language a ccording to usual grammatical rules.The greatest difference of the two linguistic devices is probably the fact that code mixing is consumes the result of bilingualism, however, borrowing can also occur in monolingual speech. (Sridhar Sridhar 1980) Despite the availabilty of aforementioned precise definitions numerous studies use code/language switching, mixing and intermingling synonymously with break through notable deficiency in the results, since these definitions tend to not hold a high level of importance when it comesto analysing the reasons, benefits and downsides of mixing languages.Contrary to popular belief, code mixing is not necessarily a sign of improperly acquired languages or inability to switch from bilingual to monolingual mode. Instead, the contradicticting mixing occurs when the usage of a single language no longer efficiently conveys meaning that is appropriate to a certain situation. According to Crystal (1987 cited in Rezaei Gheitanchian 2008) the benefits of code-switch become apparent when solving dialogue occupations in three types of situations.The most obvious reason for a switch in languages being the difficulty in expressing oneself due to a deficiency in the base language. This shortage of a lexical item may come about because the expressed concept has no equivalent in the culture of the other language, or simply because of a momentary inability to remember s helper term in the host language. This type of code switching is especially prone to happen when the speaker is upset, tired or distracted in some manner. Work related mixing also falls into the lexical gap category.For example, code switching becomes a useful tool when individuals lack the appropriate jargon while speaking about a particular topic. One may mix languages when talking about work because the technical terms associated with work are only known in one language. The second important cause in switching is the wish to ensure social belonging. An individual m y want to express solidarity with a particular social group. In this case rapport is established between the speaker and the listener if the latter responds with a similar switch.Code mixing may also be used to exclude people from a conversation for example, when travelling companions switch to their native language when mentioning things they do not wish to convey to the surrounding people or when bilingual parents mix languages to keep their monolingual children from understanding private conversations. Thirdly, the reason for switching may be result of the wishing to convey ones attitude towards the listener. Whereas monolinguals can express attitudes by means of variation in the level of formality in their speech, bilinguals have an extra device in this situation code switching.When two bilinguals are habituate to communicating in a fixed language, switching to the other is thought to create a special effect. This idea suggests that code switching can be used as a socio-lingui stic tool, that aids bilinguals to emphasise a particular point in a sentence. While these benefits havebeen pointed out only during the last few decades of language studies, the downsides of code switching have always been an emphasised parallel to bilingualism research. The most common allegations have been the inability to fully comprehend either language delays in thinking, speaking and understanding language pollution and deterioration.The notion that intermingling languages is a results of insufficient knowledge of either of the languages, their grammatical structures and syntax, can be dismissed with the aid of the Equivalence Constraint by Poplack Codeswitches will tend to occur at points in discourse where juxtaposition of L1, and L2 elements does not violate a syntactic rule of either language, i. e. , at points around which the surface structures of the two languages map onto each other. (1979 cited in Sridhar Sridhar 1980).This means that when the two languages have ve ry different syntactical rules, the mixing is done in a way that switches occur in those parts of the sentence that allow the presence of a foreign word without causing grammatical discrepancies. However, when this is not possible the following principle of linguistics minimises the incongruity of the situation Dual Structure Principle the internal structure of the guest constituent need not conform to the constituent structure rules of the host language, so long as its placement in the host sentence obeys the rules of the host language. (Sridhar Sridhar 1980) Another problem associated with intermingling is the claimed time delay that occurs in switching. However, Gollan and Ferreira (2009) suggest that bilinguals switch languages only when non-dominant language responses are easily accesible and the switching does not occur with the price of accuracy, or if the switches rectify accuracy. Furthermore, if the switches are not forced, bilinguals can actually make up for some of the costs linked with language mixing, including the small costs in time.The uncertainties that bilinguals experience when expressing emotions can also be considered a problematic aspect of language mixing. The common belief that emotions conveyd in the mother tongue have the most strength and sincereness, implies that code switching somehow lessens the truthfulness of ones emotions. In contrast, Grosjean (2008) points out that the notion of bilinguals always expressing their emotions in their first language is a myth. The opposite can be true when a childhood in one language lacked affection or had an abundance of distressing events inthat case, the second language may be used more often as it has stronger reaffirming emotional tones.Despite the emergence of the previous pattern, there are instances where a person might benefit more from using an emotionally less-dominating language. For example, code switching is sometimes strategically used in psychological counseling. This can be accounted to the usefulness of speaking in a second language when trying to distance oneself from emotional events. Language switching becomes a defence mechanism because of usaging a language that is not associated with such a broad range of emotions (often L2).(Altarriba Santiago Riviera 1994 as cited in Altarriba, Heredia 2001). Language mixing is an important aspect of bilingualism, and a natural occurence the conversations of bilinguals. Some linguists see it as a polluting factor which indicates the lack of language proficiency. This notion is supported by findings alike the apparent delays that switching has shown to occasionally cause in speech physical composition and comprehension. The claim of language mixing resulting in improper use of syntax has been counteracted with proving the well-formed and grammatically correct unwritten rules of code switching.Therefore, most of the downsides of code mixing have either not found enough proof or are minimised by counteractive processes. Analysing the reasons for language mixing has enabled us to point out its benefits. Intermingling may be induced by a simple lack of a lexical term, the need to build rapport with a fellow bilingual, a wish to restrict the conversation from surrounding monolinguals or the necessity to convey a different tone or opinion towards what is being expressed. When the problemic conditions that triggered code switching are solved this linguistic devices proves its usefulness.Keeping these notions in mind, it is easy to agree with practitioners, who despite some downsides, see language mixing as an inevitable linguistic occurance that enhances communication rather than decreasing its quality. Intermingling strengthens the content and the essence of the message, thus becoming an important social funtion of communicating. References Altarriba, J. and Santiago-Rivera, A. L. 1994. Current perspectives on using linguistic and cultural factors in counseling the Hispanic client. Professio nal Psychology Research and Practice, 25, 388397.Altarriba, Jeanette and Heredia, Roberto R. 2001. Bilingual Language Mixing Why Do Bilinguals Code-Switch? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10 15, 164-168. Crystal, D. 1987. The Cambridge cyclopaedia of Language. Cambridge University Press Cambridge. Gollan, Tamara H. and Ferreira, Victor S. 2008. Should I stay or should I switch? A cost-benefit analysis of voluntary language switshing in young and aging bilinguals. journal of Experimental Psychology Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 35 3, 640-665. Grosjean, Francois.2008. Studying Bilinguals. Oxford and New York Oxford University Press. Poplack, S. 1979. Sometimes Ill start a sentence in Spanish y termino en Espanol Toward a typology of codeswitching. Linguistics, 18 7-8, 581-618. Rezaei, Seyyed Hassan Seyyed and Gheitanchian, Mehrnaz. 2008. E-proceedings of the International Online Language Conference (IOLC), 61-67. Sridhar, S. N. and Sridhar, Kamal K. 1980. The Syntax a nd Psycholynguistics of Bilingual Code Mixing. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 34 4, 407-416.