A Socio-Linguistic Study of the Effects of Igbo-English Code Switching and CodeMixing on the Igbo Language.

This study investigates the socio-linguistic study of the effects of Igbo-English code switching and code mixing on the Igbo language. Code-switching and code-mixing are known to be universal phenomena among bilinguals. Studies have shown that code-switching and code mixing are motivated by socio-linguistic factors. Language drives the activities and movement of people in the society where they found themselves. The study attempts to find out how Igbo English bilinguals prefer to switch and mix the two languages in different discussions than using the indigenous language alone. The study reveals that Igbo-English bilinguals use code switching and code-mixing to show that they are literate and they feel that it helps to elevate their social status in the society. We interviewed different classes of Igbo-English bilinguals ranging from secondary school students, university students, market men and women, civil servants from Aba North local government area and the village meetings from Amauzari in Isi ala Mbano in Imo State. Our results reveal that the respondents prefer using the two codes Igbo-English in constructing a single sentence. None of them uses only Igbo in the discussion we had. From our findings, this study shows that the Igbo-English bilinguals are not proud of their language and if this behavior continues, it might reduce the number of people that speak the indigenous language. In future this can result in language death. It is recommended that the native speakers of Igbo should make conscious efforts to use pure Igbo in communication, minimizing the use of code-switching and code-mixing during discussions.