A Minimalist Approach to Intrasentential Code Switching

by Jeff MacSwan

Overview

First Published in 1999. Code switching is widely used in bilingual communities worldwide, and has been found in government documents, literature, religious works, and song. Pursuing this aim here, chapter 1 addresses the relevance of the study of code switching for education and schooling, focusing on ways in which a misunderstanding of code switching may lead to tacit tracking effects for language-minority children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815332749
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/01/1999
Series:	Outstanding Dissertations in Linguistics
Edition description:	REVISED
Pages:	332
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, PREFACE, 1. RATIONALE, 2. LITERATURE REVIEW, 3. RESEARCH DESIGN, 4. SPANISH-NAHUATL CODE SWITCHING: BASIC FINDINGS, 5. A MINIMALIST APPROACH TO CODE SWITCHING, 6. SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, BIBLIOGRAPHY, INDEX

Editorial Reviews

"MacSwan gives a comprehensive review of the relevant literature. His approach rests on a well-defined theory of language structure, and his clear elaboration of it is notable." — Marjory Meechan Language in Society

From the Publisher

Argues that if the underlying linguistic competence of code switchers<-->people who switch back and forth between languages, dialects, or levels of formality<-->is the same as that of monolinguals for the languages they use, then code switching should not be stigmatized in schools. Also contends that a better understanding of the practice and of bilingualism in general would have a positive impact on educational policy, teaching, and curriculum. The 1998 dissertation for the University of California at Los Angeles has been corrected and slightly revised. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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