A code-switching in casual conversatios : a case study in Tai Dam bilinguals at Baan Huathanoon of Nakhonpathom, Thailand

• Main Author: Parada Dechapratumwan
• Other Authors: Somsonge Burusphat
• Language: English
• Published: Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center 2023
• Subjects: Code-switching (Linguistics); Conversation
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/89724
• Institution: Mahidol University

This study aims to investigate the code-switching behavior of Tai Dam bilinguals in three generations and identify its discourse-semantics functions as well as describe the relationship between its functions and context of situation. Drawing from interviews, non-participant observation and analysis of tape recordings, the researcher concluded that code-switching is prevalent in Tai Dam generation 2 and less prevalent in generation 1 and generation 3 respectively. Three types of code-switching structures are identified: 1) intra-sentential switching, 2) inter- sentential switching and 3) thematic switching that is prominent in Tai Dam generation 2. With reference to those structures, four main discourse-semantics functions are identified by the lens of Systemic Functional Linguistics. Those functions are 1) logical function, 2) experiential function, 3) interpersonal function and 4) textual function. Logical function is most prevalent, especially projection. Experiential and textual functions are less prevalent. Code-Switching also associates with the context of situation. The contextual analysis reveals that the frequency of code-switching depends on the filed of code-switching, the tenor relationship, especially power, which is varied by the context dependence, and the mode of code- switching, which can be described as the action of talking, gossiping, teasing, projecting and so on.