CODE-SWITCHING IN DIALOGUES AMONG YOUNG INDIVIDUALS FROM KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

This research investigates the varieties and communicative purposes of code-switching (CS) among the youth demographic in Kazakhstan. Centered around specific research questions, the researchers investigate the complex dynamics of CS within Kazakhstan's bilingual environment. Four young individuals studying abroad participated in a focus group interview, and the results showed a range of code-switching occurrences, from intra-sentential to tag-switching, and differing levels of ability to switch codes. There are various reasons why people switch codes, such as habit or choosing the best language for a conversation. Findings were discussed with a focus on the expressive and referential functions observed among young Kazakh adults. The comfort level of speakers in a given language and audience familiarity are factors that affect codeswitching. The paper acknowledges its limits and proposes directions for future investigation,  promoting the examination of other factors that may impact code switching among young Kazakh adults.