Exploring Attitudes towards Code-Switching Among Arabs in Israel

Abstract

This research investigates how Arabs in Israel feel about the prevalent use of Code-Switching (CS) and their language preferences when communicating with different individuals. As a speaker of this dialect myself, I am aware of the need to study this phenomenon from the speaker’s perspective since it is a heated debate in my society whether to inhibit codeswitching or deal with it as a normal language contact phenomenon. This debate is perceived from different perspectives by Arabs in Israel.

Thus, to study and understand this debate better, a survey consisting of three sections was given to 131 bilingual participants, comprising 47 males and 84 females from various towns in the north, Galilee, and the Triangle areas, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years. The collected data was analyzed, considering the age and gender of the respondents. The study uncovered some intriguing findings. The participants generally expressed negative views toward the use of CS; nevertheless, they acknowledged the significance of Hebrew in their daily lives. There were also differences in attitudes towards CS usage based on age and gender. Moreover, the survey indicated that CS is commonly employed when interacting with friends and acquaintances, but less frequently when communicating with strangers.