Code-switching In Oran : Functional And Structural Dimensions

Résumé: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the morpho-syntactic mechanisms underlying Algerian Arabic/French intra-sentential code switching as displayed by Algerian speakers in Oran. Our research work also questions the Matrix Language Frame model's practicality in describing and interpreting an Algerian Arabic-French bilingual corpus. Data from naturally-occurring conversations is analyzed within Myers-Scotton's (1993, 1997, 2002) Matrix Language Frame model and its supportive models -the 4-M model and the Abstract Level model. Our investigation of bilingual language behavior of Algerian speakers is conducted from a micro sociolinguistic perspective. This perspective is couched within the general field of contact linguistics. The approach used in the analysis of our data is to its majority a qualitative one. Our study is backed up by a quantitative analysis of recurrent code switching patterns. Our findings are also compared to other CS corpora especially those involving Arabic as a Matrix Language. The chosen theoretical framework seems to be efficient to a large extent in the analysis of Algerian Arabic French code switching patterns. In addition this insertional paradigm has shown flexibility and rigor in explaining and interpreting the attested code switching mechanisms. The Matrix Language Frame model could also account for the specificity of this corpus i.e. the tendency and frequency of the insertion of French noun phrases [French definite articles + French nouns]in Algerian Arabic matrices.

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