A SOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF THE STYLES OF CODE-SWITCHING/CODEMIXING AMONG IGBO STUDENTS IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI

Abstract

Using unguarded conversation among the Igbo multilingual students, this study aims to examine the styles of code-switching and code-mixing among the Igbo multilingual students in the school. Participants included the Igbo multilingual students from both campuses- Ikole and Oye. The examples of code switching and code-mixing are analysed qualitatively as to their function within a multilingual discourse. By the use of questionnaire, information was elicited from the participants about their multilingual background and reasons for their choice of code for code-switching and code-mixing during conversation. The details afforded from these linguistic biographies are integrated into the analyses to determine how these can facilitate and explain the styles of the students’ code alternation.