The analysis of code switching used by bilingual speakers in the film entitled “Spanglish” (a sociolinguistics study)

Oleh :
Wuri Rohayati - C0303056 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTRACT 2008. The Analysis of Code Switching Used by Bilingual Speakers in the Film Entitled ‘SPANGLISH’ (A Sociolinguistics Study). Thesis: English Department, Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. This research is a descriptive qualitative research using sociolinguistics approach, particularly, concerning with code switching case. The technique of collecting data is purposive sampling technique in which the data/ samples are selected based on certain characteristics in order to reach the aim of the research. The samples of this research are the dialogues of the characters in the film entitled ‘SPANGLISH’ employing code switching case. The research takes nine dialogues employing code switching. From the nine dialogues employing code switching, there are eleven data that can be analyzed. The objectives of the research are to find the kinds of code switching employed in the film entitled “SPANGLISH”, to describe the functions of code switching employed in the film entitled “SPANGLISH”, and to reveal the reasons beyond the use of code switching in the film entitled “SPANGLISH”. The results of the analysis can be seen as follows: First, the use of code switching by the bilingual speakers in the film entitled ‘SPANGLISH’ shows that there are four data that belong to situational code switching and seven data that belong to metaphorical (conversational) code switching. Situational code switching relates to the change of topics, interlocutors, and any other major aspects of interaction within the dialogue. Meanwhile, metaphorical code switching refers to switching which happens in a single conversation without any change of topics, interlocutors, or any other major aspects of interaction. Metaphorical code switching relates to personal attitude toward the situation. Second, there are five functions of the employment of code switching. Those functions are addressee specification, interjections, reiteration, personalization versus objectivization, and joke. Addressee specification refers to the switching that is used to direct the message to one of several addressees or to include and to exclude such addressee. Code switching will function as interjections when it serves to mark sentence filler within the conversation. Reiteration is served if the speaker switches the code by repeating her/ his speech in another code. Personalization versus objectivization differs ‘talks about an action’ and ‘talks as an action’. The last, Joke, shows a literally unimportant message within conversation. Third, there are many reasons of the employment of code switching within the dialogue of the film such as the linguistics skill of the interlocutors, the change in topics, the change of interlocutors and the degree of intimacy between the interlocutors, which encourage the speaker to switch the code that s/he uses. From the findings, bilingual speakers can use the employment of code switching case in daily conversation as a strategy to make the conversation run smoothly. Furthermore, the language users (bilingual speakers) can use code switching as a way to reach the maximum result of the conversation. Based on the conclusion, it is expected that this research will be useful for future researchers who are interested in studying sociolinguistics especially dealing with code switching.