Code-Switching Among Bilingual Iraqi Speakers in Simultaneous Translation : A Study of English Usage in Multilingual Communities

Abstract

The role of English in multilingual communities has received less attention than code-switching itself, particularly in areas where English is not the main language. This is particularly true in less-studied locations. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the societal implications of speaking English in these contexts, as well as the how and why of this activity. In the context of simultaneous translation, this study seeks to examine code-switching among Iraqi speakers who are bilingual. Students from the Department of Translation at the University of Al-Mustansiriyah's College of Arts are taking part in this study. A total of twenty-five male and female undergraduates from Iraq, ranging in age from 22 to 24, participated in this study. This research makes use of two methods: observation and semi-structured interviews. English is utilized frequently in informal settings like social events and talks, indicating that code-switching is common in the multilingual groups studied. The research demonstrated that the degree to which bilingual speakers code-switched into English was affected by socioeconomic status, age, and level of education. Furthermore, it demonstrated that English is utilized as an indicator of progress and affluence.