CODE-SWITCHING AND IDENTITY: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Code-switching, the practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects within a conversation, represents a complex linguistic and social behaviour that plays a significant role in shaping individual and collective identities. This research paper investigates code-switching from a sociolinguistic perspective, focusing on its function as a communicative tool and a marker of identity among multilingual speakers. The study employs a qualitative approach that draws on interviews, recorded conversations, and existing literature to analyze how speakers use language choices to navigate cultural belonging, express solidarity, and negotiate power relations. The findings indicate that code-switching serves not only to bridge linguistic gaps but also to signal social affiliations, cultural hybridity, and context-dependent identities. In multilingual communities, speakers strategically employ code-switching to align themselves with certain groups, assert individuality, or maintain social boundaries. Furthermore, the research highlights how social factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background influence code-switching patterns. By situating code-switching within broader sociocultural frameworks, the study emphasizes its importance as a dynamic mechanism of identity construction and social interaction. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of language as a social practice that reflects the fluid and multifaceted nature of identity in an increasingly globalized and linguistically diverse world.