Article published In:
ITL - International Journal of Applied LinguisticsVol. 103/104 (1994) ► pp.113–134
Vol. 103/104 (1994) ► pp.113–134
Code-Mixing as a Communication Strategy in the Speech of Zaïrean Students of English
The lack of balance between foreign language students' competence and the communicative demands imposed on them prompts them to resort to communication strategies, one of which is code-mixing. This strategy with Zaïrean students is mostly characterized by the influence of French (rather than their Zaïrean languages) on their English. Foreign language students should be advised to avoid code-mixing in their use of the target language, first because of its poor effect on the listener, and second because it may slow down the acquisition of the target language, instead of promoting it.
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