Poplack Questions

1. What is the definition of code‐switching given by Poplack 1980 and how does she characterize it grammatically?

“Code-switching is the alternation of two languages within a single discourse, sentence or constituent”. What happens is that a speaker will use a language (English, for example) at the beginning of whatever he or she is saying, and then end with a different language (Spanish). Poplack identifies code-switching according to the type of integration into the base language. Code-switching could include segments totally unintegrated into the patterns of the base language, segments that follow English phonological and morphological patterns, but violate English syntactic patterns, and segments that are phonologically integrated into the base language. The three types of code-switching are characterized by switches of different levels of constituents, and they each reflect a different level of bilingual ability.

2. What was Predraza 1978’s view of code‐switching? Contrast with Poplack’s own conclusion (based on the present study).

According to Predraza, speakers who code-switched did so because they lacked a full mastery of both languages. Poplack disagrees, finding that those with the greatest degree of bilingual ability ('true' bilinguals) most favour intra-sentential code-switching, the type which is hypothesized to require the most skill. Code-switching requires a large degree of linguistic competence in more than one language, rather than a defect arising from insufficient knowledge of one or the other.

3. Describe the population of Poplack’s study.

Poplack’s study includes a sample of participants. Half of them belong to a network linked together by friendship or family connections, as well as club activities. Most of those in the group are males and they