Code-switching patterns among bilingual adolescents in urban community settings

Thesis Abstract

In increasingly multilingual urban environments, bilingual adolescents frequently engage in code-switching as a linguistic and social strategy to navigate their complex cultural identities and communicative contexts. Despite its pervasive presence, there remains limited empirical understanding of the specific patterns, functions, and sociolinguistic factors that influence code-switching among this demographic. This study aims to systematically analyze the code-switching behaviors of bilingual adolescents in urban community settings, focusing on how language choice correlates with social identity, peer interaction, and contextual factors. The specific objectives are to identify the predominant types of code-switching used, examine the situational contexts prompting switching, explore the relationship between code-switching and identity construction, and evaluate the influence of socio-demographic variables on switching patterns. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. The population comprises bilingual adolescents aged 13-19 attending secondary schools within the urban municipality of Chicago, Illinois. A stratified random sampling method was used to select 200 participants, ensuring representation across gender, socio-economic status, and language pairs (e.g., English-Spanish, English-Hindi). Data collection tools include a structured questionnaire designed to quantify code-switching frequency and types, complemented by individual semi-structured interviews to gain deeper insights into participants’ motivations and perceptions. Observational data were also gathered through audio recordings of peer group interactions during recess and classroom activities, providing contextual evidence of naturalistic switching behaviors. Validity and reliability of instruments were established through pilot testing and inter-coder agreement analysis, with thematic analysis applied to interview transcripts and observational data to identify recurring patterns and themes. Data analysis involves descriptive statistics to profile the prevalence and types of code-switching, chi-square tests and ANOVA to explore relationships with demographic variables, and logistic regression modeling to predict factors associated with switching frequency. The qualitative data are analyzed thematically using NVivo software, guided by the Bilingual Identity Model (Grosjean, 1999) and the Speech Accommodation Theory (Giles et al., 1991), to interpret contextual and identity-related functions of code-switching. Expected findings include a high frequency of intra-sentential switching, predominantly used in peer interactions during informal settings, with patterns varying according to age, gender, and language pairing. Evidence is anticipated to show that adolescents employ code-switching to express cultural identity, establish social solidarity, and perform identity negotiation within peer groups. Sociolinguistic factors such as language dominance and community language attitudes are hypothesized to significantly influence switching patterns. This research contributes to linguistic and sociocultural scholarship by providing an empirical account of bilingual adolescents’ linguistic practices in urban contexts, filling gaps related to the socio-psychological functions and contextual determinants of code-switching. It also offers insights into language policy and educational interventions aimed at supporting bilingual development and fostering inclusive communicative spaces. The main conclusion underscores the integral role of code-switching as a multifaceted communicative resource linked to identity, social cohesion, and contextual adaptation among urban bilingual youth. Recommendations include incorporating code-switching awareness into bilingual education curricula, promoting language preservation through community programs, and fostering further research examining longitudinal shifts in code-switching behaviors in evolving urban landscapes. The study advocates for a nuanced understanding of bilingual speech in urban settings, emphasizing both its functional versatility and its significance in shaping adolescent social identities.