Code-switching in computer-mediated communication - a case study of croatian-english discussion forums

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CODE-SWITCHING AS A FIELD OF RESEARCH

2.1. The Object of Research

2.2. The Origins of Code-switching Research

2.3. The Research History

3. MAJOR EXPLANATORY FRAMEWORKS

3.1. Gumperz: Situation – Metaphor – We and They

3.2. Myers-Scotton and the Markedness Model

3.3. Auer and the Conversationalist Approach

4. LANGUAGE AND THE INTERNET

4.1. Computer-mediated Communication and Language Use

5. CS RESEARCH IN COMPUTER-MEDIATED SETTINGS

5.1. Paolillo and the Indian Diaspora

5.2. Georgakopoulou and Greek-English E-mail Discourse

5.3. Androutsopoulos and German-Based Web Forums

5.4. Hinrichs: English and Jamaican Creole in E-mail Communication

6. THEORY IN PRACTICE

6.1. The Corpus

6.2. The Users

6.3. Methodology

6.4. Analysis

6.4.1. Prior expectations versus actual language use

6.4.2. Conversational loci and linguistic structures susceptible to CS

6.4.3. Referential code-switching

6.4.4. Directive code-switching

6.4.5. Metaphoric code-switching

6.4.6. 'Poetic' code-switching

6.4.7. Expressive code-switching

6.5. Summary of findings

7. CONCLUSION

Research Objectives and Themes

The primary objective of this thesis is to investigate the communicative functions and meanings of code-switching (CS) as it occurs in an asynchronous, computer-mediated environment, specifically within a Canadian-Croatian discussion forum. The research aims to bridge the gap between classic sociolinguistic theories of code-switching and the realities of digital communication by analyzing how diaspora users navigate their linguistic repertoires.

• Theoretical exploration of major code-switching frameworks (Gumperz, Myers-Scotton, Auer).
• Examination of language use and Netspeak within computer-mediated communication (CMC).
• Comparative analysis of existing studies on code-switching in diaspora-related online settings.
• Qualitative analysis of the "Croworld" corpus to identify specific functions of English-Croatian code-switching.
• Investigation of identity construction and social positioning through bilingual discourse in online communities.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the research scope and the focus on code-switching within a Canadian-Croatian discussion forum as a case study for computer-mediated communication.

2. CODE-SWITCHING AS A FIELD OF RESEARCH: Provides a historical overview of code-switching as a research discipline, including early definitions and the evolution of the term.

3. MAJOR EXPLANATORY FRAMEWORKS: Discusses the seminal work of Gumperz, Myers-Scotton, and Auer, establishing the theoretical foundations for analyzing social and linguistic motivations for code-switching.

4. LANGUAGE AND THE INTERNET: Explores the characteristics of computer-mediated communication and the debate regarding the emergence of "Netspeak" as a distinct variety.

5. CS RESEARCH IN COMPUTER-MEDIATED SETTINGS: Reviews four significant studies on code-switching in diaspora-related online settings (Paolillo, Georgakopoulou, Androutsopoulos, Hinrichs).

6. THEORY IN PRACTICE: Details the compilation of the "Croworld" corpus, the background of its users, and presents a qualitative analysis of code-switching functions in the collected data.

7. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, reflecting on the validity of classic models in digital settings and suggesting future research paths.

Keywords

Code-switching, Computer-mediated communication, CMC, Diaspora, Bilingualism, Discourse analysis, Interactional sociolinguistics, Markedness model, Online communities, Language alternation, Netspeak, Code-mixing, Identity construction, Croatian language, English language

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this thesis?

The thesis examines the phenomenon of code-switching—the alternation between two or more languages—within a computer-mediated environment, specifically focusing on an online discussion forum for the Croatian diaspora in Canada.

What are the central thematic fields?

The work integrates classic sociolinguistic theories of code-switching, research on computer-mediated communication (CMC), and the specific cultural context of diaspora identity and language maintenance.

What is the primary research goal?

The goal is to determine the communicative functions and meanings behind code-switching among Croatian diaspora users and to see if existing sociolinguistic frameworks can adequately explain these patterns in asynchronous online settings.

Which scientific methods are employed?

The author combines quantitative corpus analysis (measuring language proportion) with qualitative, ethnographic-based discourse analysis, applying principles from interactional sociolinguistics, conversation analysis, and Myers-Scotton's Markedness Model.

What is treated in the main part?

The main part includes a rigorous review of explanatory frameworks (Gumperz, Myers-Scotton, Auer), a look at previous CMC studies, and a detailed analysis of the author's collected corpus, categorizing switches into referential, directive, metaphoric, poetic, and expressive functions.

What are the key defining terms?

Key terms include code-switching, interactional sociolinguistics, diasporic identity, computer-mediated communication, discourse-related code-switching, and markedness.

How does the author define the "we code" and "they code" in the context of the Croworld forum?

The author argues that in this diaspora setting, the clear-cut dichotomy between a minority language as "we code" and majority language as "they code" often fails, as English acts as a neutral base, while Croatian is used for specific acts of self-identification and social positioning.

How do the findings differ from earlier studies like Paolillo's?

Unlike Paolillo’s study of Punjabi users where the native language was largely restricted to symbolic/formulaic uses, the author finds that the Croatian users utilize their home language in a more extensive and productive way, even when English remains the base language.