Code-Switching, Languages in Contact and Electronic Writings

The aim of this book is not to revisit work done on code-switching as a verbal strategy, but to discuss code-switching in electronic writing. Sociolinguistic approaches have focused mainly on the analysis of oral productions. What is the position with regard to writing and, more specifically, electronic writing? In this collection dealing with code-switching situations in electronic writing the contributors give answers to the following major question: what happens when multilingual writers who belong to social networks, virtual or otherwise, communicate among themselves in one or more common languages? Special attention is given to code-switching both in CMCs (Computer-Mediated Communications) and in mobile phone use. Given the constraints inherent in both types of communication, the written productions they give rise to do not show the same features and therefore do not call for the same treatment.

Foued Laroussi is full Professor of Sociolinguistics and Languages in Contact at Rouen University (France). He received his PhD in 1991 in French-Arabic code-switching from the same university. His research interests include multilingualism, language policy, and multilingual societies especially in the Maghreb and Mayotte. He is also Director of LiDiFra (Research Center on Linguistics, Didactics and Francophone Studies).