An Analysis Of The Pragmatic Adaptability Of Teacher's English/Chinese Codeswitching In College English Classes

The study of codeswitching, one of the natural consequences of language contact, has been one of the focuses for researchers in various fields. In recent years, as its specific manifestation, teacher's codeswitching in class has been in the center of debate.On the basis of Yu Guodong's adaptation model on codeswitching, through utilizing Jef Verschueren's "Theory of Adaptation", this thesis aims to conduct a detailed analysis of the pragmatic adaptability of teacher's English/Chinese codeswitching. In the present study, teacher's codeswitching is regarded as a sort of linguistic choice as well as a strategy that teachers often adopt with an aim to achieve certain teaching goals. Through the investigation, the frequency of occurrence and general pattern of teacher's codeswitching as well as its main motivations can be manifested. In the end, conclusions are drawn on the basis of the previous analysis. First of all, teacher's performing of English/Chinese codeswitching is an adaptation to linguistic reality, teacher's roles and teacher's psychological intentions, the first two being considered as passive switching and the last being active switching. Secondly, teacher's codeswitching as understanding-facilitating strategy forms the most important factor that triggers teacher's English/Chinese codeswitching.