Code switching and gender in sms textuing among algerian university students

Abstract

This study investigated the nature of SMS messaging, by focusing on gender differences in the amount and types of Code switching, on the one hand, and differences in language use between male and female texters, on the other hand. The study involved English Department students who evolve in an Algerian multilingual context. Data for the study was collected by using two research tools: a corpus of messages sent by the students and a questionnaire. Instances of Code switching and language use in these messages were identified, counted and analyzed. The study showed that there were twotypes of code switching occurring in messages: Extrasententialand Intrasententialswitching types, with the last mentioned as the most frequent type. In terms of gender, the results showed that there were significant differences in code switching behaviors between males and females, with females code switching more and using Intrasentential Code switching type more than men.