LINGUIST List 21.1913
Wed Apr 21 2010
Diss: Sociolinguistics: Dumnig: 'Lang Choice in Interracial...'
Editor for this issue: Mfon Udoinyang
<mfonlinguistlist.org>
1. Francisco
Dumanig,
Dissertation Abstract
Message 1: Dissertation Abstract
Date: 20-Apr-2010
From: Francisco Dumanig <fdumanigyahoo.com>
Subject: Dissertation Abstract
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Institution: University of Malaya
Program: Ph.D. in Linguistics
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2010
Author: Francisco Perlas Dumanig
Dissertation Title: Language Choice in Interracial Marriages: The case of Filipino-Malaysian couples
Linguistic Field(s):
Sociolinguistics
Dissertation Director:
Prof. Dr. Maya Khemlani David
Dissertation Abstract:
Language choice has become a common phenomenon in interracial encounters inwhich speakers are always faced with the challenge of choosing anappropriate language in various domains of communication. In multilingualand multiracial societies, language choice can sometimes be crucial becauseof its social, political, and economic impact on the speakers. Even in thesmallest unit of a society which is the family, language choice plays animportant role particularly in interactions between husbands and wives whocome from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. It is thereforethe objective of this research to examine language choice in interracialcouples' communication. More specifically, this research examines thelanguage choice, accommodation strategies, and code switching patterns inverbal communication of Filipino-Malaysian couples in the home domain.Furthermore, this study explores the language choice in relation toethnicity, religion, first language, and gender. To carry out the study, 60spouses consisting of Filipino-Malay, Filipino-Malaysian Chinese andFilipino-Malaysian Indian couples were interviewed and administeredquestionnaires to elicit information about their socio-demographicprofile, language choice and accommodation strategies. Data were collectedusing the qualitative approach by interviewing and recording theconversations of Filipino-Malaysian couples. To support the qualitativefindings, a quantitative approach based on the questionnaire results wasalso used. The findings of the study revealed that Filipino-Malaysiancouples prefer English as their medium of communication at home with someswitching to Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Filipino languages. The couples'preference forEnglish is prevalent although none of them considered Englishas their first language. Their mother tongue becomes the secondarypreference which is evident in the use of code switching. The findings alsoreveal that couples' language choice is influenced by ethnicity, religion,first language and gender. The use of accommodation strategies such asapproximation, interpretability, discourse management and interpersonalcontrol accommodation strategies occurs in many interactions. The findingsof the study support Giles & Powesland's (1978) CommunicationAccommodation Theory (CAT) which states that in interracial couples'communication spouses tend to accommodate each other by using a range ofaccommodation strategies which include code switching.
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