How do code-mixing and code-switching differ?

How do code-mixing and code-switching differ?

• A. Code-mixing occurs within sentences at the word level; code-switching is a broader language switch between speakers
• B. Code-switching occurs within words; code-mixing occurs at sentence level
• C. They are the same phenomenon
• D. Code-mixing only happens in writing

Answer: (A)

Think about how bilinguals use languages in real talk. Code-mixing is when two languages blend inside a single sentence or clause—you might insert a word from the other language right in the middle of an English sentence. Code-switching is the broader pattern of switching from one language to another across the course of a conversation, which can happen between sentences or across turns, and can also occur inside a sentence. So, mixing within a sentence at the word level fits code-mixing, while the broader shift of language across larger units of talk fits code-switching. For example, I went to la tienda and bought apples shows code-mixing; I went to the store. Then I bought apples shows code-switching across sentences.

Think about how bilinguals use languages in real talk. Code-mixing is when two languages blend inside a single sentence or clause—you might insert a word from the other language right in the middle of an English sentence. Code-switching is the broader pattern of switching from one language to another across the course of a conversation, which can happen between sentences or across turns, and can also occur inside a sentence. So, mixing within a sentence at the word level fits code-mixing, while the broader shift of language across larger units of talk fits code-switching. For example, I went to la tienda and bought apples shows code-mixing; I went to the store. Then I bought apples shows code-switching across sentences.