Code-mixing refers to the mixing of two languages
at the word level.
If we consider our situation we can find that
domains related to education, media and profession are those where people use
to mix the code. Teachers while talking in classroom often blends English words
with those of Urdu. Media men and specially hosts at TV and radio etc mix the
code frequently. They use a blend of Urdu with English and English with Urdu in
talk shows and live programs. You can often find such kind of examples of
code-mixing in TV talk shows.
Aik aur program—Hamarey studio—Chhota
sa break—Bari bari companiyan,
Depend
karta hai—Protest huye hain—Koi bara initiative—Exportss hit ho rahi hain
LANGUAGE HYBRIDIZATION
Language hybridization is a resultant process of frequent code-mixing. Sometimes,
even the grammar or structure of one language is applied to the vocabulary of
another. So when two or more languages are frequently mixed, resultantly a new
hybrid variety of language takes birth. This new variety to some extent shares
the qualities of both the languages but it has its own independent grammar and
vocabulary that may not match any of the mixed languages.
A few examples of code-mixing and language
hybridization from Pakistan between Urdu and English.
Hybridization
in single words
Leadraan,
Companiyan, Machinain, Filmain, Classon, Agenday
Hybridization
in compound words
Quomi assembly, Hakomti member, Parlimani leader, Contract Mulazmin, Difaee Budget, Passkarda shariat bill
Hybridization
in noun phrases
Sometimes
the speakers make a hybridized noun phrase by adding noun from English and the
modifier from Urdu.
Mojooda assembly,
Tamam products, Achi
selection, Aik both bara
challenge, Aik mind set, Chota sa break, Mukhtalif companies
Sometimes
the speakers make a noun phrase by adding noun from Urdu and the
modifier from English.
Record pedawar, Provincial hakumat, Major hisa, Modern aslah,
Legal masla,
Important guftgu, Motor
Gari
Sometimes
the hybridized noun phrases are made by sandwiching the item of one language
between the items of the other language.
Police aur judiciary, Genuine opposition ka role, Ain k article tin ki sub
clause char, News Night ka
doosra segment, Suicidal kism ka
aik action, Aik billion ropeya
Hybridization
in verb phrases
Control bhi kar saktay hain, Justify nahi kar saktay, Notification nahi hua hai, Support nahi karain gaey, Relief milay ga, Pass kia tha
Some communities have special names for a hybrid
variety: in India, Hindlish and Hinglish are
used for the widespread mixing of Hindi and English; in Pakistan, Urdish
refers to the mixing of Urdu and English; in Nigeria, Amulumala (verbal
salad) is used for English and Yoruba mixing and switching.
1.
Kitna
khubsurat scene hai. (Noun)
2.
In dono
ko compare karo. (Verb)
3.
Ye one-sided
report hai. (Noun Phrase)
4.
Aj main
ne bara tasty kofta curry banaya hai. (Noun Phrase Hybridization)
Code-mixing and language hybridization are
interesting phenomena in bilingual societies that gain significance in the
backdrop of globalization.
Since majority of people in the country have a
very superficial and limited understanding of English those who know English
frequently code mix it in Urdu to exhibit their superior knowledge of English,
but at the same time being fearful of that they may not be understood or
interpreted well they repeat the Urdu equivalent. This repetition is used as a
pedagogical strategy by many teachers in Pakistani schools to ensure that
students understand what is taught.
The young people in Pakistan are often heard
using English and Urdu salutation ‘hello, aslam-o-alikum’
together; especially in telephonic conversation it is very common. In the same
way ‘good morning’ is often followed by ‘aslam-o-alikum’.
Sometime after using an Urdu word or phrase they add its English equivalent
such as ‘az khud, automatically’.
In such cased the speaker repeats the English
equivalent of the used word to express his knowledge of English since English
is a language of prestige and high status in Pakistan. Another reason in such
cases is that the English equivalent of the word or term is more popular in
society, and the speaker feels that the Urdu word or term being less in use may
not be understood by the listener.
Code mixing plays a very significant role in
language change and language variation, and also provides an insight into the
socio-cultural phenomena taking place in that area or region, through the
linguistic choices of the people. It is not only an indicator that the process
of change is going on, but also a vehicle of linguistic change. Indeed, many
linguists view mixed-code as an inevitable by-product of bilingualism.
As a matter of fact language change is not
something new, it has always been taking place in all the languages through all
the times, including Urdu. But what is important in the present scenario is the
speed of this change that is noticeable even to the general public.
