Exploring behaviors of code switching among translations
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Lauren Covey
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:29 PM
Description
Code-switching is a practice where bilingual individuals switch between languages within a single conversation or utterance. Among bilingual individuals, code-switching has been widely studied. However, limited attention has been given to how specific professional roles, such as translation, influence this behavior. This study explores behaviors of code-switching among English-Spanish translators living in the United States, focusing on the potential impact of language proficiency, profession, and attitudes. A total of 30 participants completed an online questionnaire about code-switching behaviors and attitudes. Participants were individuals fluent in English and Spanish who currently reside in the United States. The participants were divided into two groups: professional translators and non-translators (i.e., regular bilinguals). Data analysis is ongoing, but preliminary comparisons of code-switching preferences across groups indicate overall similar behaviors in how both translators and non-translators utilize both languages at school/work. Differences did emerge when proficiency was examined: in the non-translator group, increased proficiency in one language is associated with a decline in proficiency in the other, indicating that a tradeoff in proficiency has taken place. Among translators, higher proficiency in one language correlates with greater proficiency in the other, indicating a more balanced bilingual competence. Furthermore, for non-translators, individuals with greater English proficiency indicated that they engaged in unintentional code-switching more often than those with more balanced proficiency. For the translator group, this pattern was not evidenced. By highlighting the role of professional training in shaping bilingual language use, this study contributes to sociolinguistics, bilingual, and translation studies.
Exploring behaviors of code switching among translations
Code-switching is a practice where bilingual individuals switch between languages within a single conversation or utterance. Among bilingual individuals, code-switching has been widely studied. However, limited attention has been given to how specific professional roles, such as translation, influence this behavior. This study explores behaviors of code-switching among English-Spanish translators living in the United States, focusing on the potential impact of language proficiency, profession, and attitudes. A total of 30 participants completed an online questionnaire about code-switching behaviors and attitudes. Participants were individuals fluent in English and Spanish who currently reside in the United States. The participants were divided into two groups: professional translators and non-translators (i.e., regular bilinguals). Data analysis is ongoing, but preliminary comparisons of code-switching preferences across groups indicate overall similar behaviors in how both translators and non-translators utilize both languages at school/work. Differences did emerge when proficiency was examined: in the non-translator group, increased proficiency in one language is associated with a decline in proficiency in the other, indicating that a tradeoff in proficiency has taken place. Among translators, higher proficiency in one language correlates with greater proficiency in the other, indicating a more balanced bilingual competence. Furthermore, for non-translators, individuals with greater English proficiency indicated that they engaged in unintentional code-switching more often than those with more balanced proficiency. For the translator group, this pattern was not evidenced. By highlighting the role of professional training in shaping bilingual language use, this study contributes to sociolinguistics, bilingual, and translation studies.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.