EVERYDAY CODE-SWITCHING PRACTICES: IDENTITY, PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS, AND SOCIAL CONTEXT: How Multilingual Speakers Use Code-Switching to Navigate Identity and Interaction

This study examines code-switching practices that arise as a natural result of multilingualism in daily life. The main purpose of the research is to reveal individuals’ code-switching behaviors in different social contexts such as family, friend group and work/academic environment, the pragmatic functions of these behaviors and their role in identity/belonging construction. The study was conducted using a mixed methods approach and with multilingual participants aged 18-35. Participants are proficient in Azerbaijani, Russian and English languages. A survey form was used in the data collection process; the social contexts in which the participants preferred which languages, their frequency of code switching and the meanings they attributed to these behaviors were analyzed. It has been determined that code switching is used most to increase emotional closeness in the family environment; that it functions to strengthen humor, emphasis and group belonging around friends; and that it is preferred in order to facilitate technical explanations and provide prestige in business and academic environments. The immense majority of respondents highlighted that the code-switching assists them reveal their individuality in the best way and reinforces their sense of social identity.

Conclusively, code-switching is not merely a linguistic fashion, but is a multi-dimensional method of communication that controls their social status, identities and social interaction. This study makes important contributions to sociolinguistics by revealing the functions that code-switching plays in daily life and sheds light on large-scale future research.