A Linguistic Phenomenon: Code-Switching in Media and Advertisement

The purpose of this paper is to examine the linguistic phenomenon of code-switching in two different forms of communication: social media and traditional advertising. Code-switching, most common among bilinguals, is the practice of expressing ourselves in conversation, the act of altering the languages we speak, or the ability to switch back and forth between two different languages simultaneously. We all do it, albeit, inadvertently at times, whether it is to fit in, stand out, be understood, emphasize a point, or deliver a message. Throughout this paper, I will analyze code-switching found in a popular actress’ social media account as well as its presence in global marketing advertisements, and thus, determine why code-switching has become the intensively researched linguistic phenomenon that it is today