Abstract

Researches on code-switching in the past have a concentration on the verbal language, few on its written form. This study attempts to cover and analyze the notion of code-switching in electronic contexts. The objective of this study is to discuss the code-switching functions performed by Arabic-English bilingual users in their Facebook interactions. The data of this study were collected from status updates posted by the bilingual users on their Facebook wall. They were classified and analyzed according to the functions they served in the Facebook context. Findings indicate that code switching occurs in online interaction to serve addressee specification, reiteration, message qualification, clarification, emphasis, checking, indicating emotions, availability, principle of economy and free switching functions. This study hopes to provide insights on the code-switching phenomenon in Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC). Additionally, the findings of this study will be of value for the development of code-switching studies in the socio linguistic area.

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