Analysis of Code-switching Used by Bilingual Students in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Case of Christian Bilingual University of Congo

Aims: To identify reasons why the community members of the Christian Bilingual University of Congo code-switch from English to French and vice-versa. In addition, this study seeks to identify different functions that the code-switching practice has at the Christian Bilingual University of Congo.

Study Design: The data from this study have come from the participatory observation technique which involved the researcher participating in observing, listening, and asking a few questions as he was immersed in different activities in order to experience reality. The study, thus, used the qualitative approach.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Education, January to September 2018.

Methodology: This study examines the purposes of code-switching and how it is used to achieve the speaker’s communicative intents at the Bilingual Christian University of Congo. Data were collected through participatory observation during the triadic training activities (academics, work program and service learning) that offers the Bilingual Christian University of Congo. In addition, data were collected during chapel, academic meetings, professional development sessions, etc. The data were organized according to the situation that triggered the code-switching.

Results: The findings show that code-switching is a style of language used at the Christian Bilingual University of Congo that speakers employ to organize, enhance and enrich their speech. It occurs both in formal and informal contexts of communication.

Conclusion: The result of this study has shown that code-switching behavior is not random nor is it seen as a sign of linguistic deficiency or inadequacy. It is rather a negotiation between the style of language use and the communicative intents of the speakers.

The findings have revealed that code-switching usage at UCBC is seen as functionally motivated behaviour. It has a discourse enhancing functions where speakers code-switch to express solidarity and affiliation with a particular group, to fill a linguistic or conceptual gap of the speaker; it provides continuity in speech, it compensates for the inability of expressions, to reiterate or emphasize a point in order to repair trouble, gap and silence in communication.