CODE-SWITCHING IN LOCAL CREATIVE WORKS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract

This study explores how the pragmatic approach to the analysis of codeswitching can contribute to our understanding of characters in local creative works. One of its primary aims is to show that apart from acting as a socio-educative and ethnic marker, code-switching call help us gain a better insight into the personality of characters. Chapter One addresses certain preliminary issues central to the study of code-switching in creative works as opposed to sociolinguistic studies in ‘real' situations. It also reviews studies that have been done in this area and delimits the scope of this study. Chapter Two introduces the main tenets of the theoretical frameworks for the purpose of this study. In this section, instances of code-switching identified in the selected texts are analysed in relation to how our understanding of characters may be enhanced. It also relates the linguistic behaviour of the characters to the sociolinguistic situation in Singapore. Finally, Chapter Three offers some suggestions for further research in this area. The findings of this study is summarized in the concluding section.