ADJES (Ahmad Dahlan Journal of English Studies)
Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026)

Code-Switching in Multilingual Classroom Interaction: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of the Sitcom Mind Your Language

Purwanti, Eko (Unknown)
Sugiyanto SY, Hanna Nabila Annas Amini (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
21 Apr 2026

Abstract

Code-switching is a common linguistic practice in bilingual and multilingual communities in which speakers alternate between languages to negotiate meaning and maintain communication. This study examines how code-switching is represented in the British sitcom Mind Your Language, a television series that portrays learners from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds interacting in an English language classroom. This research aims to identify the types of code-switching used in the series and to explore the communicative purposes behind these language shifts. The study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach by analysing dialogues from two episodes of the first season. The findings reveal that inter-sentential switching is the most frequently occurring type of code-switching in the selected episodes, followed by intra-sentential switching, while tag-switching does not appear in the data. In addition, six communicative motivations for code-switching were identified, with discussing a particular topic emerging as the most dominant reason, followed by expressing emphasis and repetition for clarification. These findings highlight how code-switching functions as a communicative strategy among multilingual speakers and demonstrate how popular media can reflect real-world linguistic practices in multilingual settings.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

adjes

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Other

Description

ADJES (Ahmad Dahlan Journal of English Studies) is a journal of English language teaching, linguistics, and literature. The Journal provides in-depth research and analysis in various areas, including English language teaching (methods, strategies, teaching media, assessment, etc.), English ...