Algerian Arabic and French Code Switching: The Case of El Kiffane and Ain youcef in Tlemcen

Abstract

This research work is considered to be a sociolinguistic study about code switching in Algeria, comparing the speech of two different areas in Tlemcen. The purpose of this study is to shed the light on code switching between Algerian Arabic and French in an urban and rural area in Tlemcen named El Kiffane and Ain youcef respectively. By giving a questionnaire to 20 participants (males and females) chosen randomly from each district, the respondents provide their attitudes, feelings and express their preferences about Algerian Arabic and French language use. The results achieved reveal that Algerian Arabic/French code switching is found in both areas however at various degrees. In other words, speakers from Ain youcef display less competence in Algerian Arabic/French code switching compared to those from El Kiffane, where Algerian Arabic/French code switching is more frequent and speakers are considered to be more competent in French.