The Use of Code-Switching and Code-Mixing by Speakers of Emirati Arabic (EA)

Abstract

This study investigates the usage of code-switching and code-mixing by Arabic speakers of Emirati dialect. It also examines the extent to which the age and gender of the participants may affect this usage. For the purpose of the study, twenty Arabic speakers of Emirati dialect were interviewed to answer simple questions that may direct them to code-switch and/or code-mix in their speech. They were divided into two groups according to their gender and age. The results revealed that Arabic speakers of Emirati dialect code-switch and code-mix while answering the target questions. The results also showed that the social variables, namely, age and gender had a substantial impact on their use of these phenomena.

Keywords: code-switching, code-mixing, social variables, age, gender

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/52-08