COMMUNICATIVE AND PRAGMATIC FEATURES OF CODE-SWITCHING

Abstract

Code-switching has become one of the most significant phenomena in multilingual communication due to increasing globalization, migration, and intercultural interaction. It refers to the alternation between two or more languages within a single conversation or discourse. While earlier studies often regarded code-switching as a sign of linguistic interference, recent linguistic research recognizes it as a purposeful communicative strategy that reflects bilingual competence and pragmatic awareness. This paper explores the communicative and pragmatic features of code-switching by examining its role in bilingual interaction. The study adopts a qualitative descriptive approach based on the analysis of linguistic theories and previous research. The findings reveal that speakers employ code-switching to clarify meaning, emphasize ideas, express emotions, signal topic changes, construct social identity, and maintain interpersonal relationships. The paper also demonstrates that contextual and cultural factors strongly influence language choice during communication. Therefore, code-switching should be understood as a natural and effective communicative resource rather than a linguistic deficiency. The study contributes to a better understanding of bilingual discourse and highlights the importance of pragmatic competence in multilingual societies.