Aspects of Algerian Arabic/ English Code Switching in Algeria A Case Study of EFL Students of English at Belhadj Bouchaib University Centre of Ain Temouchent

Abstract

Code switching is a linguistic behaviour used by bilinguals. It occurs as a natural outcome of language contact. The phenomenon of code switching has attracted sociolinguists’ attention and has been studied from a variety of perspectives. This research paper aims at finding out the reasons behind code switching. It sheds light on the phenomenon of code switching in the Algerian context. To reach this end, a questionnaire has been used as a research tool and addressed to 60 of the EFL English students at University Centre Belhadj Bouchaib of Ain Temouchent. In addition, the analyses and interpretations of data have shown that third year English students code switch according to the person they are communicating with. In sum, it has been noticed that third year English students code switch because of the lack of competence in the English language. Also, Algerian Arabic is considered to be more useful when third year students code switch between Algerian Arabic and English.