Code Switching on Lebanese Television Talk Shows

Abstract

This research explores the phenomenon of code-switching in Lebanon, and more specifically, between Arabic (and its varieties), English, and French on Lebanese television talk shows. The research employed observations of code switching incidents during political and sociocultural/entertainment talk shows on the six major Lebanese television channels.

By building on existing scholarship on Lebanese television, the present observations were used to compare code switching incidents and their frequencies among the six main channels, which aided in achieving an in depth understanding of the relation between language and television. Furthermore, the present research builds on the scholarship of a number of scholars and researchers: Bahsous, Nabhani and Bacha (2011-2014), who have studied and quantified code switching incidents in the Lebanese education sector; Ghaith and Shaaban (1996-1999) whose work offers rich history on code switching taking place in Lebanon, particularly in the process of legitimizing and normalizing English and French in the Lebanese society; and Al Batal, whose work on code switching on LBCI offered a demonstration of the use of language on television with regards to national identity.

Moreover, Dajani’s work (2001-2019) on Lebanese television history offers an insight into each channel’s socio-political affiliation, religious background, foreign agendas and sponsors.

Finally, in my analysis, which is built on pragmatic and sociolinguistic theories of code switching, I mainly use the theories of Gumperz (1972-1982), Myers-Scotton(1993-2001) and Auer. Gumperz offers functions of code switching which aided in finding the factors that influence the language used in a conversation. Auer’s (1984-1999) conversational analysis on the other hand helped understand the sequence of events that influence a conversation and, last but not least, Myers-Scotton’s interest in the roles that speakers play gave a gateway to look at individuals’ input in a conversation.

Based on the findings of this research, I argue that the language of communication used on a television show is not determined by one factor, but rather that one must consider a multitude of factors, including a change of topic, individual roles, the sequential environment, and any language reservations of the hosting channels.