Code-switching practices of English majors in computer-mediated communication

master's thesis

• Title (croatian): Prebacivanje koda kod studenata anglistike u računalno posredovanoj komunikaciji
• Author: Jelena Jurina
• Mentor: Stela Letica Krevelj (mentor)
• Committee member: Renata Geld (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Nives Kovačić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of English language and literature); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-07-04, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; Philology; Anglistics

Abstract

The phenomenon of code-switching (CS) has been traditionally studied in oral communication. However, due to technological advances and increased online connectivity, it is becoming a more prominent feature of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine CS of English majors studying to be EFL teachers in a group chat on WhatsApp. More specifically, the focus was placed on the CS functions of their messages. Data were collected by exporting and analyzing the messages, with participants providing consent for both the analysis and potential interviews. The research study employed qualitative analysis of CS functions, supported by the four individual participant interviews. The results show that English majors code-switch most often out of habit or when they are talking about English courses. Apart from these functions, they also code-switch often for humor purposes, because they wish to retain a more accurate meaning of a word or simply because English is the most spontaneous form of communication in the group chat.

Abstract (croatian)

Prebacivanje kodova (engl. code-switching – CS) tradicionalno je proučavano kao dio usmene komunikacije. Međutim, u današnjem svijetu tehnoloških napredaka i sve većoj internetskoj povezanosti, ono postaje istaknutija karakteristika računalno posredovane komunikacije (engl. computer-mediated communication – CMC). Stoga je cilj ovog rada bio ispitati prebacivanje kodova kod studenata nastavničkog smjera anglistike u grupi na WhatsAppu. Fokus istraživanja bio je stavljen na funkcije koje prebacivanje kodova ima u njihovim porukama. Rezultati pokazuju da studenti nastavničkog smjera anglistike najčešće koriste CS iz navike ili kada razgovaraju o zajedničkim engleskim kolegijima. Osim ovih funkcija, često koriste CS svrhu humora, jer žele zadržati točnije značenje riječi ili jednostavno zato što je engleski u njihovom grupnom razgovoru najspontaniji oblik komunikacije. Jedan od glavnih zaključaka ovog rada je činjenica da su okviri koji su izvorno osmišljeni za tradicionalno istraživanje CS-a u usmenoj komunikaciji korisni i za istraživanja unutar CMC-a, barem ona koja pokazuju sličnosti s govorenom komunikacijom.

• Keywords: code-switching; computer-mediated communication; code-switching functions
• Keywords (croatian): prebacivanje kodova; računalno posredovana komunikacija; funkcije prebacivanja kodova
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:682305
• Study programme: Title: English Language and Literature (double major); specializations in: Linguistics, Literature and Culture, Translation, TEFL; Course: TEFL; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra edukacije engleskog jezika i književnosti (magistar/magistra edukacije engleskog jezika i književnosti)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-07-06 13:31:51