ABSTRACT

Bilinguals regularly switch between languages when communicating with other bilinguals. This is referred to as “code switching” (Clyne, 1980; Poplack, 1980). A great deal of research has been carried out to explain how bilinguals are able to code switch and yet keep their two languages apart. Grosjean’s (1997, 2001) conceptualization of a “language mode continuum” describes a range of forms of language mixing that can occur, depending on the “language mode” a bilingual speaker is in. That in turn depends on whether the bilingual is communicating with monolinguals or other bilingual speakers. In monolingual mode, the bilingual adopts the language of another monolingual speaker, with the nonshared language being deactivated or inhibited so that it does not intrude upon the language being spoken. According to Grosjean, bilinguals adopt a “bilingual mode” when communicating with other bilinguals who share the same languages. A base (or matrix) language is adopted and the other language (termed the “guest language”) is brought in as and when needed. In this case, both languages will be activated but one more strongly than the other. The levels of activation of different languages will depend on factors such as the local language environment, the knowledge of other speakers, the demands of the processing task, and the proficiency of the speakers. Less proficient bilinguals will require greater control of the first language (L1) when operating in the second language (L2). Often there are insufficient resources to control the language not required, resulting in intrusions from the more dominant language.