A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON THE USE OF CODE-SWITCHING IN THE INFORMAL CONVERSATION OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT STUDENTS OF FACULTY OF LETTERS JEMBER UNIVERSITY IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2003/2004

Abstract

Code-switching is a language phenomenon where people use more than one language or more than one variety of one language in a single conversation. This phenomenon is a consequence of bilingualism or multilingualism. But, it is still possible for a monolingual community to conduct code-switching, because in certain extent they are bidialectal or multidialectal. Apart from bidialectal or multidialectal society, in diglossic situation, code-switching can also be conducted. This research is intended to elaborate the language phenomenon that happens to the English Department students. The problems to solve are what languages the students possess and use, what are the code-switching phenomena classified into, and what are the significance of the use of code-switching for the students. The data are in the form of qualitative data that have been gathered by conducting observation, questionnaire, and interview. The result of the discussion shows that all of the students are multilingual people that often switch their codes. Certain triggers and purposes cause the students to do so. The study also shows that code-switching is quite important for the students which have different background of ethnic or culture.