Pragmalinguistic Aspects of Code-Switching in Bashkir: A Case Study of Oral Discourses

Abstract

Introduction. Bashkir-Russian code-switching is inextricably linked with the phenomenon of mass bilingualism in the Republic of Bashkortostan. One single phrase can sequentially contain lexemes of both Russian and Bashkir. Guest-language material represented by unassimilated lexemes with adequate equivalents in the host language can be further extended to word combinations and even introduction of morphemes. Goals. The study attempts an analysis of pragmatic functions inherent to code-switching in oral discourses. Materials and methods. The paper focuses on oral narratives recorded within the project granted by Russian Science Foundation (‘Code-Switching in Bashkir-Russian Bilingualism: Insights into Dialectal Discourses’). The to be analyzed patterns were selected via continuous sampling. The work employs the and statistical method, those of discourse and contextual analyses. Results. Bashkir-Russian code-switching is often triggered by unpreparedness and spontaneity of oral speech, lack of time to measure and structure one’s narrative. The analysis shows the key pragmatic functions of code-switching are topic-related and metalinguistic ones, those of introducing citations, offering jokes, saving speech efforts and filling lacunas. One particular code switch may actually combine a variety of such pragmatic functions.