The Use of Code Switching: A Case of Iraqi Students in University of Karabuk

Abstract

Code switching (CS) is considered as a widespread multifunctional phenomenon in bilinguals’ speech both formally and informally. CS is common among Arabic speakers because they usually use it when switching from English to Arabic in their utterances. Iraqi students are enlisted within this rule because they usually use English-Arabic CS. The current study aims at exploring the types of code-switching used in students’ daily life conversations in University of Karabuk and in dormitory setting and the reasons for using this code switching. These conversations are recorded and transcribed into written texts. Then, they are analysed by using Appel and Muysken’s (2005) classification of code-switching. Basing on the data input, the findings showed that the intra-sentential type is the most frequent type used in these conversations. Also, the findings showed that the reasons for code-switching were primarily either to convey a message or to express gratitude. These results were congruent with Poplack’s (1980) hypothesis. The study contributes noticeably to the knowledge body of literature as highlighting the use of code switching in the Turkish city of Karabuk.