CODE-SWITCHING AND CODE-MIXING AMONG THE HAUSA YOUTHS IN HAUSA QUARTERS IN WARD 10 OF OREDO, BENIN CITY

ABSTRACT

This research work is designed to carry out a sociolinguistic investigation of the use of the sociolinguistic phenomenon of Code-Switching and Code-Mixing among the Hausa youths in Hausa quarters in ward 10 of Oredo, Benin City. The aim of this study is to examine the types and functions of code switching as well as to describe the factors of code switching evident in the communication among the Hausa youths in ward 10 of Oredo, Benin City. In order to attain the aim of this research work, the researcher collected recordings of conversations among the Hausa youths at the Hausa quarters i.e. the data analyzed in this research were collected through the direct observation method. The collected data used in the survey were analyzed within the framework of Gumperz (1982) conversational function of code switching and Malik (1994) reasons and functions of code switching.Thus, the conceptual framework entails eight specific functions of code switching, namely: quotations, reiteration, clarification, objectivization, addressee specification, lack of facilities, interjections and identity sharing. Nevertheless, the outcomes of the survey established that alternating between two or more language varieties is a communicative strategy employed by bilinguals to collectively share interactive meanings during conversations.The findings of this research discovered that the Hausa youths employ inter-sentential, intra-sentential and emblematic code switching in their conversations and in various speech utterances.