Code-Switching is a Language Learning Strategy

Pass the ‘smetana’ is a common way of speaking in our home. Our common language in the home is English, but if you were a fly on the wall, you would hear words from other languages used in our everyday conversation. This is called code-switching.

After returning from Russia, our family used code-switching for things commonly served at the table. We fell in love with sour cream over there. It was so good! And even though we couldn’t find that same quality at home, we continued to use ‘smetana’ as the word for sour cream.

Speakers of multiple languages will frequently use code-switching in casual conversations. One language will be the dominant one in the conversation, but words from another common language to the persons engaging in conversation will also be used. The language is familiar to them during a conversation. 

While living in South America, I lived in a community that used German and Spanish for everyday communication. It is common to hear Spanish words spoken in a German conversation. Instead of using the German word “Kleinlastwagen” for a pick-up truck, the Spanish word “camioneta” is used.

Schools in our community have many immigrant children who come from Spanish-speaking homes. It is common for these families to use some English words in their everyday communication in Spanish. A phrase, “My teacher said . . .” might sound like, “Mi ‘teacher’ dijo . . .”

Naturally, the human brain wants to communicate efficiently and use words that come easily. In my own experience, I’ve found that my brain tends to want to use words that are simpler to express. If the recall is faster in one, it will automatically use that word. 

Code-switching is a common practice for people who speak multiple languages, BUT it is also considered a language-learning strategy. 

Click the link to learn how code-switching can help you learn a foreign language.