Page 82 - RASAS 2025

10 Ruhuna Arts Student’s Annual Sessions (RASAS) -2025
th

Code-Switching and Code-Mixing on Facebook: An Investigation of
Undergraduates in the Department of English and Linguistics

K.R.K.G. Abeysinghe
Department of English and Linguistics, University of Ruhuna
gayouni2002@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The phenomena of code-switching and code-mixing have become increasingly widespread in Sri Lanka,

especially in the digital platforms such as Facebook. While these practices have been studied in spoken
communication, limited research has addressed their functions in written form, particularly within Facebook

posts and comments. This study aimed to investigate the functions and patterns of code-switching and code-
mixing among bilingual undergraduates focusing on how these practices contribute to an effective
interpersonal communication in digital context, as an ability to navigate meaningful, socially appropriate

interactions in digital context. Data were collected through randomly selected Facebook posts and comments
by 37 bilingual undergraduates from the Department of English and Linguistics at the University of Ruhuna,
chosen based on their active engagement on the platform. A qualitative approach was employed to analyse

instances of code-switching and mixing. This study is guided by Androutsopoulos’ Model of Language
Practices in Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC). Facebook was chosen due to its popularity among
bilingual users and the natural occurrence of informal digital discourse. The findings revealed that code-

switching and code-mixing function as a strategic tool for identity construction and audience design, reflecting
sensitivity to register, platform norms, and communicative context. These insights contribute to a deeper

understanding in an unexplored area of written code-switching and mixing phenomenon. Based on the
findings, it is recommended that digital literacy and linguistics educators incorporate these language practices
into their curricula to equip students for critical engagement with multilingual communication in online

environments.

Keywords: code - switching, code – mixing, computer- mediated communication (CMC), Facebook discourse,
multilingual communication

54