Case Study on Codeswitching in a Japanese-English Bilingual Family

This paper showcases a case study documenting the intended and actual language practices of a Japanese-English bicultural family. The study focuses on a family consisting of a father, mother, son and daughter living in Japan. The parents were interviewed by questionnaire to determine their intended language practices that follow the one parent one language (OPOL) approach. The family’s speech during a dinner conversation was recorded was analyzed to determine their actual language practice. All family members used both languages during the recording session. Incidences of codeswitching are discussed according to purposes summarized from Baker (2006). The family’s intended and actual practices are shown to be different. Their language practices including codeswitching and using the weaker language in the household have a positive effect on their children’s bilingualism. This paper shows that despite their intentions, the family uses codeswitching to enhance communication with each other. (Appendixes