A Study on the Conversational Function of Cantonese-English Codeswitching in Guangzhou Entertainment Programs

  • Chan Lin
Keywords: Cantonese-English, CS, Code switching, Guangzhou entertainment radio programs, Syntactic structure, Conversational function

Abstract

Based on the quantitative and qualitative data analysis of the Cantonese-English codeswitching (henceforth CS) in Guangzhou entertainment radio programs, the present study attempts to present a comprehensive investigation into the forms and functions of CS by categorizing and quantifying the various syntactic features and the multifarious conversational functions of CS in Guangzhou entertainment radio programs. As it turns out, Cantonese-English CS is a persuasive linguistic practice in Guangzhou entertainment radio programs. The majority of the data are involved in intrasentential CS. Cantonese-English CS is consistent with certain conversational functions in a conversational context, but often, each CS appears to have more than one function. The overwhelming majority (63.6%) of Cantonese-English CS in Guangzhou entertainment radio programs fall into the category of filling lexical gaps, followed by quotation (13.5%), message qualification (9.1%), personalization (4.6%), interjection (4.4%), reiteration (3.9%), and addressee specification (0.8%). It is hoped that the present study on the Cantonese-English CS in Guangzhou entertainment radio programs has expanded the scope of research on Cantonese-English CS in Guangzhou in general.

Published
2020-09-29
How to Cite
Chan Lin. (2020). A Study on the Conversational Function of Cantonese-English Codeswitching in Guangzhou Entertainment Programs. Design Engineering, 702 - 710. https://doi.org/10.17762/de.vi.780
Section
Articles