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Friday, 11 September 2015

Code Switching between Arabic and English among EFL Learners at KKU


Abstract
Code-switching (CS) in sociolinguistics refers to the situation when speakers switch from one language to another within sentences in a single context of conversation. This study investigates the factors responsible for the code-switching between Arabic and English among the EFL learners in King Khalid University, English Department, Abha. Semi-structured interviews and survey questionnaires were used to collect data that investigate the factors of code-switching among EFL female students in KKU. The analysis of data also investigates English students' attitudes towards this linguistic phenomenon. The results answer the research question, providing evidence that (1) learner's age, (2) learner's level of education, (3) the desire to show off and become prestigious, (4) conveying intimacy, (5) trying to add emphasis and (6) expressing personal opinions and thoughts are the main factors that lead participants to switch between Arabic and English and affect their choices of words. Finally, this study is concluded by the emphasis that code-switching is very common among Saudi female EFL learners as a natural process especially when they acquire more knowledge of English. Yet, a recommendation that Saudi EFL learners become more aware, culturally and linguistically, be proud of Arabic as their native language, and be good at English as it becomes the language of the globe.

Key words: Code-switching, Arabic, English, EFL Learners, King Khalid University.

A term paper submitted by:
Aysha Al-Qahtani, Ebtihaj Al-Hamid, Raihanah Dokhykh, Reem Asiri, Wijdan Ibrahim, & Zahra Al-Qahtani

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