Code-switching among the indigenous people of Sarawak

Norhuda Salleh and Romlah Ramli and Noor Syakirah Zakaria and Ahmad Faisal Mohamed Fiah (2022) Code-switching among the indigenous people of Sarawak. International journal of law, government and communication (IJLGC), 7. pp. 448-465.

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Abstract

As a multicultural country, it is common for Malaysians to have the ability to speak two or more languages. Apart from being proficient in their own native language, majority Malaysians are able to speak Bahasa Melayu or English, or even both. In Sarawak, the indigenous people are collectively known as natives, also referred as the people of Dayak and Orang Ulu. The background of the Sarawak community, where the people itself are multilingual, supports the notion that code-switching is a common occurrence in the community’s daily life. This research aims to find out how the natives accommodate their communication behavior when interacting by identifying the occurrence of code-switching and, the factors and reasons contributing to the phenomenon. The research method uses quantitative methods. The data were collected by distributing questionnaires via Google Form. The findings were analyzed using the Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) by Howard Giles. Based on the findings, there is a significant relationship between the indigenous ethnic groups in Sarawak and the phenomenon of code-switching. Convergence type of accommodation was observed through the study where the natives accommodate their language as a strategy reduce the social differences between themselves and their interactant. It is also observed that the natives also accommodate their language to achieve a clearer and smoother communication.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Behavior, Communication accommodation theory, CAT, Ethnic, Multicultural, Native, Sarawak
Subjects:	D World History and History Of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Etc. > DS Asia > DS1-937 History of Asia > DS520-560.72 Southeast Asia > DS591-599 Malaysia. Malay Peninsula. Straits Settlements > DS597.22-599 Local history and description > DS597.36-597.39 Sarawak
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Depositing User:	DG MASNIAH AHMAD -
Date Deposited:	01 Feb 2024 15:43
Last Modified:	01 Feb 2024 15:43
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38105

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