Code-Switching in South Asia: Comparing the Equivalence Constraint and Matrix Language Frame Models with Hinglish
Abstract
This article examines code‑switching in South Asia by applying Shana Poplack’s Equivalence Constraint Model and Carol Myers‑Scotton’s Matrix Language Frame Model to Hinglish, a hybrid of Hindi and English. Through syntactic and sociolinguistic analysis, it argues that the Matrix Language Frame Model better accounts for South Asian patterns of intra‑ and inter‑sentential switching. The article also advocates translanguaging in English classrooms, linking structural theory to pedagogical practice in India’s multilingual context.
Presentato: 25 Marzo 2025 | Accettato: 07 Maggio 2025 | Pubblicato 01 Luglio 2025 | Lingua: en
Keywords South Asia • Code-switching • Transformational generative grammar • Equivalence constraint model (ECM) • Matrix language frame model (MLFM) • Bilingualism • Hinglish
Copyright © 2025 Anmol Sahni. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/bhasha/2785-5953/2025/01/003