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The world has been exposed to English in wider measure than ever before due to its huge role in technology and electronic communication. Due to this extensive contact with English, variation in the language in social media has resulted. Code-switching is one such result.

The focus of this exploratory study is to analyze the nature of Bangla-English code-switching in language use in the social medium Facebook, by Bangla speakers from Bangladesh. In order to do that, this study examines the features and frequency of Bangla-English code-switching on Facebook. Specifically, it analyzes the use of lexical items, phrases, and the frequency of switching. 

Bangla-English code-switching has been explored very little. Alam (2006) points out a few factors that motivate code-switching. Khadim (2014) investigates the motivation behind this practice focusing on the specific situations that might encourage code-switching. Tasnim (2018) investigates the frequency of code-switching based on a very small amount of data. My study aims to fill some gaps in previous research by examining the main features of code-switching along with the frequency of the words and phrases used.

A mixed methodology has been used to fulfill the objectives of the research. Data was collected through a survey questionnaire and close observation. Ten active users of Facebook have been chosen as participants through the snowball method for close observation. 

The data analysis yields result suggestive of the frequency and types of code-switching and their patterns of switching in language use on Facebook in terms of lexical, morphological, and syntactical properties.

Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Riddle

English 

Graduate