Code Switching in the educational environment of Afghanistan

Abstract

The complex nature of historical and cultural heritage and the need for economic development contributed to the increasing role of the English language and predetermined the complex nature of multilingualism in modern Afghanistan. The English language in Afghanistan does not have an official status, but plays a significant role in the life of society of all strata. The research work presents an analysis of such a linguistic phenomenon as code switching, which means the need to switch from one language to another in the context of languages’ interaction. The aim of the study is to analyze the role and status of the English language in the higher educational environment and to identify the specifics of the interaction of the English language and the indigenous languages of Afghanistan, Pashto and Dari, in the learning process. The research work was carried out in line with sociolinguistics, which implies the analysis of linguistic phenomena depending on social groups. The work is based on a comprehensive research methodology, including the achievement of results using general scientific and private linguistic methods. The methods being used are the analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction; the triangulation method was used to assess the reliability of the work, the method of sociolinguistic commentary is used as the basis to identify the specifics of code switching in a complex linguistic and socio-cultural situation in Afghanistan. The work also used the method of case study, which includes a structured analysis of interviews with communicants followed by a description of certain phenomena and the method of quantitative analysis to calculate the productivity of these phenomena. Such a method as an interview was used by us to obtain the data collection of participants. As a result of the research work, it was found that the process of switching codes is used by teachers to easily assimilate information, explain complex material, and create a favorable atmosphere.