Addressing Code-Switching in Spanish/ Algerian Arabic Speech: Case of Beni Saf Speech Community

Abstract

Language varieties and social attitudes towards language behaviour have long been a source of contention, particularly in multilingual countries like Algeria. The current study sheds light on aspects of code switching and the language items that discern Benisaf dialect from other Algerian dialects. The purpose of this study is to verify whether the citizens of this region incorporate the Spanish language into their daily interactions or not. It also examines the reasons behind code switching and the citizens’ attitudes towards this phenomenon. Therefore, a group of citizens was selected as a sample population, and through the use of two sociolinguistic research instruments, including a questionnaire and an interview, the data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The results revealed that Benisaf citizens frequently use Spanish words in their everyday speech because of several reasons and felt proud of their dialect.