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Code-switching And The Construction Of Ethnic Identity: A Socio-psycholinguistic Approach

Posted on:2010-12-18Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:L L WuFull Text:PDF
GTID:2155360275451878Subject:English Language and Literature
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Code-switching(henceforth shortened as CS),as a common phenomenon in language contact and cross-cultural communication,usually refers to the alternation of two or more languages or language varieties(i.e.dialects) in a single communicative episode.But in fact,under the general term of CS,different forms of bilingual linguistic behavior are subsumed,including the choice of languages or language varieties.Under the influence of economic and cultural globalization,international communication deepens and expands, the multiplicity and dynamics of ethnic identity are increasingly obvious,and the construction of ethnic identity through CS occurs more frequently.So far,however,there is no much research in the academic field on the role of CS in the construction of ethnic identity.The present thesis thus explores the relationship between CS and the construction of ethnic identity from the socio-psycholinguistic perspective.It is hoped that the present study can advance the development in this research domain.Language is one of the most obvious marks for ethnic identity.In certain circumstances,CS can function to construct ethnic identity."Ethnic identity" is a dynamic and negotiable concept.In addition,people are not only influenced by social and cultural factors,but far more influenced by their own social-psychology in constructing ethnic identity through CS.Therefore,the socio-psychological theories are assumed in this thesis to have explanatory power on exploring the role of CS in ethnic identity construction-the theories may explicate why people choose certain codes or switch their codes to construct ethnic identity.The present thesis adopts three important theories in socio-psycholinguistics,namely., speech accommodation theory(SAT),the theory of language attitude and the theory of motivation,to analyze the CS phenomena in relation to the construction of ethnic identity, so as to reveal what psychological factors influence people's behavior of switching codes and constructing ethnic identity simultaneously.The study concludes that speakers' behavior of constructing ethnic identity through CS is mainly determined by the following psychological factors:shortening psychological distance between the interlocutors;giving prominence to their own ethnic identity and protecting ethnic rights;claiming loyalty to ethnic language;expressing ethnic emotion;strengthening in-group solidarity;enhancing social attractiveness;pursuing economic and political interests;deceasing ethnic conflict, etc.The thesis is composed of six chapters.After the introductory Chapter One,the analysis of CS and ethnic identity are generalized and introduced through literature review in Chapter Two.It mainly explores the contributions and disadvantages of the following five methods on CS research,namely,sociolinguistic,grammatical,pragmatic, conversational and psycholinguistic approach,so as to help us deepen the understanding on CS.Besides,by exploring the definition of ethnic identity,its dynamic feature,its function and its relation to language,the theoretical basis for the construction of ethnic identity through CS is established.In Chapter Three,the theoretical framework is deeply analyzed in the way that the three socio-psychological theories are comprehensively elaborated and the important concepts involved in the theories are deeply analyzed in the aspects of nature,classification,source,etc.Chapter Four discusses the influence of four socio-cultural factors(language policy,language environment,language contact and language value) on the construction of ethnic identity by means of CS.Chapter Five is the research emphasis of this thesis.Through the application of three theories,the thesis provides a convincing explanation for ethnic-identity-constructing CS phenomena from three perspectives:speech accommodation,language attitude and psychological motivation.In the last chapter,the thesis concludes with the research achievements and shortages,and makes some prospects for future study as well.
Keywords/Search Tags:code-switching, ethnic identity, speech accommodation, language attitude, psychological motivation
PDF Full Text Request
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