CODE-MIXING AND LANGUAGE HYBRIDIZATION Code-mixing refers to the mixing of two languages at the word level. If we consider our situation we can find that domains related to education, media and profession are those where people use to mix the code. Teachers while talking in classroom often blends English words with those of Urdu. Media men and specially hosts at TV and radio etc mix the code frequently. They use a blend of Urdu with English and English with Urdu in talk shows and live programs. You can often find such kind of examples of code-mixing in TV talk shows. Aik aur program—Hamarey studio—Chhota sa break—Bari bari companiyan, Depend karta hai—Protest huye hain—Koi bara initiative—Exports hit ho rahi hain
LANGUAGE HYBRIDIZATION Language hybridization is a resultant process of frequent codemixing. Sometimes, even the grammar or structure of one language is applied to the vocabulary of another. So when two or more languages are frequently mixed, resultantly a new hybrid variety of language takes birth. This new variety to some extent shares the qualities of both the languages but it has its own independent grammar and vocabulary that may not match any of the mixed languages. A few examples of code-mixing and language hybridization from Pakistan between Urdu and English.
Hybridization in single words Leadraan,
Companiyan,
Machinain,
Filmain,
Classon,
Agenday
Hybridization in compound words Quomi assembly, Mulazmin,
Hakomti member,
Difaee Budget,
Parlimani leader,
Contract
karda shariat bill
Hybridization in noun phrases Sometimes the speakers make a hybridized noun phrase by adding noun from English and the modifier from Urdu. Mojooda assembly, challenge,
Tamam products,
Aik mind set,
Achi selection,
Chota sa break,
Aik both bara
Mukhtalif companies
Sometimes the speakers make a noun phrase by adding noun from Urdu and the modifier from English. Record pedawar, Legal masla,
Provincial hakumat,
Important guftgu,
Major hisa,
Modern aslah,
Motor Gari
Sometimes the hybridized noun phrases are made by sandwiching the item of one language between the items of the other language. Police aur judiciary, clause char,
Genuine opposition ka role,
News Night ka doosra segment,
Aik billion ropeya
Ain k article tin ki sub
Suicidal kism ka aik action,
Hybridization in verb phrases Control bhi kar saktay hain, hua hai,
Justify nahi kar saktay,
nahi karain gaey,
Relief milay ga,
Notification nahi kia tha
Some communities have special names for a hybrid variety: in India, Hindlish and Hinglish are used for the widespread mixing of Hindi and English; in Pakistan, Urdish refers to the mixing of Urdu and English; in Nigeria, Amulumala (verbal salad) is used for English and Yoruba mixing and switching.
1. Kitna khubsurat scene hai. (Noun) 2. In dono ko compare karo. (Verb) 3. Ye one-sided report hai. (Noun Phrase) 4. Aj main ne bara tasty kofta curry banaya hai. (Noun Phrase Hybridization) Code-mixing and language hybridization are interesting phenomena in bilingual societies that gain significance in the backdrop of globalization. Since majority of people in the country have a very superficial and limited understanding of English those who know English frequently code mix it in Urdu to exhibit their superior knowledge of English, but at the same time being fearful of that they may not be understood or interpreted well they repeat the Urdu equivalent. This repetition is used as a pedagogical strategy by many teachers in Pakistani schools to ensure that students understand what is taught. The young people in Pakistan are often heard using English and Urdu salutation ‘hello, aslam-o-alikum’ together; especially in telephonic conversation it is very common. In the same way ‘good morning’ is often followed by ‘aslam-o-alikum’. Sometime after using an Urdu word or phrase they add its English equivalent such as ‘az khud, automatically’. In such cased the speaker repeats the English equivalent of the used word to express his knowledge of English since English is a language of prestige and high status in Pakistan. Another reason in such cases is that the English equivalent of the word or term is more popular in society, and the speaker feels that the Urdu word or term being less in use may not be understood by the listener. Code mixing plays a very significant role in language change and language variation, and also provides an insight into the socio-cultural phenomena taking place in that area or region, through the linguistic choices of the people. It is not only an indicator that the process of change is going on, but also a vehicle of linguistic change. Indeed, many linguists view mixedcode as an inevitable by-product of bilingualism. As a matter of fact language change is not something new, it has always been taking place in all the languages through all the times, including Urdu. But what is important in the present scenario is the speed of this change that is noticeable even to the general public. shuaib6727.blogspot.com shuaib6727.wordpress.com
SHUAIB ASGHAR DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH GOVT. RAZVIA ISLAMIA COLLEGE HAROONABAD