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code-switching

1 of 1noun
/ˈkoʊdˌswɪtʃɪŋ/
Forms:code-switchings
1

the phenomenon of switching between two or more languages or language varieties within a conversation or discourse, often influenced by social, cultural, or linguistic factors

Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages or language varieties in a conversation or discourse. This can occur within a single sentence or between different sentences, often depending on the context, audience, or topic being discussed. People may code-switch for various reasons, such as expressing cultural identity, emphasizing a point, or facilitating communication in multilingual environments. Code-switching reflects the fluid nature of language use and can serve to strengthen social bonds among speakers who share similar linguistic backgrounds. It is a common phenomenon in bilingual and multilingual communities.