Linguistic aspects of code-switching in Gikuyu, Kiswahili and English

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate language use among Gikuyu Multilingual speakers. The main aims of the study was to investigate the phenomenon of code switching, that is: the function of these switches, the syntactic occurrence of switching and what determines the matrix language. We found out that the linguistic types of code switching (tag switching) were present in the speech of Gikuyu speakers. Each switch in all the utterances collected was seen to have a function. It was also found out that switching could take place anywhere in a sentence. The matrix language was seen to be Gikuyu most of the time.

Chapter one contains the introduction, background of the study, the theoretical framework, literature review, methodology and sample and sampling procedure.

Chapter three contains the functions of code switching. Chapter four shows where in a sentence switching can possibly take place while chapter five contains the summary, conclusion and recommendations.