Linguistic attitudes and code-switching patterns in Malta

Abstract

This study looks at code-switching as a context-related phenomenon whose use and implications are therefore largely determined by the linguistic attitudes of speakers as well as domain norms. Thus whilst the main focus is on the motivations and meaning of students' code-switching patterns, the study opens with an introduction to bilingualism in general as well as some background of the Maltese bilingual situation in particular. The second chapter outlines the study' s methodology in some detail, whilst the third and fourth chapters analyse the data. In part the data takes the form of taped real-life conversations which are analysed in some depth in Chapter 3. The responses to a questionnaire-based survey administered during face-to face interviews with 150 respondents 50 of whom were university students are analysed. The aim of this survey was to students' the relationship between students' language use and attitudes, reflected in the code-switching tendencies noted in the recorded data, with those of their locality. The questions being asked were therefore to what extent students modify their linguistic identities by their varying linguistic choices as well as what factors lead them to do so. The third, and most important question asked was: What do students gain by code-switching, if in fact they do gain anything?