Contrasting Patterns of Code-Switching in Two Communities

LINK: http://www.sociolinguistics.uottawa.ca/shanapoplack/pubs/articles/Poplack1987.pdf

Summary: This is an online version of Shana Poplack’s Contrasting Patterns of Code-Switching in Two Communities, originally published in the book Aspects of Multilingualism. Based mainly in Labov (1971), Poplack analyses how Puerto Ricans who live in New York realize code switching in their common dialogues. It is important to consider that the analyzed community of East Harlem is traditionally a stable bilingual one. The linguist also confronts code switching with the function of borrowing, always seeking real examples and standards in the analyzed community.