CODE-MIXING AND CODE-SWITCHING AMONG THE YORUBA BILINGUALS IN MUSHIN

Abstract

Most nations in the world are bilinguals; speaking two languages. It is well known that basically there are three possible linguistic outcome of prolonged contact of ethnic group: Language shift, bilingualism or multilingualism and language Maintenance. This study examines the causes of code-mixing and code-switching among the Yoruba bilinguals of Mushin. To determine occurrence of code-mixing and code-switching in the conversation of the speakers. Also, the study analyse the effects of code-mixing and code-switching among the Yoruba Bilinguals in Mushin. This work adopts a survey method to examine code-mixing and code-switching among the Yoruba bilinguals in Mushin. The study population consists of every member of the speech community Mushin, Lagos state. This study adopts the simple and the convenience sampling technique to select a total of 60 respondents. It is found out that code-mixing and code-switching occur because some words are better expressed that way and mainly because of solidarity and friendship. The result from the respondents also shows that people code-mix and code-switch not because of low proficiency in both languages but because some words are better expressed when languages are mixed.