Turkish-Norwegian codeswitching : evidence from intermediate and second generation Turkish immigrants in Norway

Abstract

Codeswitching is briefly defined as the use of two or more languages, dialects, etc. within the same flow of discourse. This study describes and analyses a data set of Turkish/Norwegian codeswitching in an immigrant language contact setting. One of its aims is to apply the Matrix Language Frame model (Myers Scotton 1993 and subsequent publications) on the data collected from five intermediate and three second generation Turks living in Norway. The dissertation focuses on switching between Turkish and Norwegian within a sentence, more specifically within a CP (projection of Complementizer). Another aim of this dissertation is to analyse and explain thoroughly some language-specific constructions found in the data. A third aim is to describe the signs of language shift to Norwegian. As well as describing and analysing the data, the author makes suggestions on how the Matrix Language Frame model might be modified. She also discusses the explanatory power of some of its hypotheses; such as Embedded Language islands and the Composite Matrix Language. As a contribution to the codeswitching literature, this dissertation is the first one written on Turkish and Norwegian. Dissertation for the Degree Dr. Art. 2000

FACULTY OF ARTS UNIVERSITY OF OSLO

ISSN 0806-3222 Acta Humaniora nr. 83