The term borrowing implies that a word or short expression is borrowed from one language and adapted “morphologically (and often phonologically) into the base (other) language” (Grosjean, Interview on bilingualism). Sentence B on the other hand is an example of code-switching. The sentence begins with a base language (English), then switches completely to the guest language (Dutch) and then back to the base language (Grosjean, Interview on bilingualism). Code-switching usually occurs between people who share a bilingual identity (speak the same …show more content…
Thus on closer inspection there seem to be certain (subconscious) rules for code-switching. The first of these is that switching between a subject pronoun and a finite verb leads to impossible sentences (Nortier, Code-switching Is Much More than Careless
Word Count: 937 Mixing: Multilinguals Know the Rules!). Sentences A and B are therefore examples of incorrect code-switching.
A) Ik kocht the last copy (I bought the last copy)
B) I bought het laatste exemplaar ( I bought the last copy)
C) Ik kocht het last copy. (I bought the last copy)
D) I bought the laatste exemplaar. (I bought the last copy)
(Nortier, Codewisseling 184)
Sentences C and D on the other hand are correct examples since “code-switching between finite verb and direct object is less problematic” (Nortier, Code-switching Is Much More than Careless Mixing: Multilinguals Know the Rules!).
Making a distinction between the base and guest language is the second rule. Using the sentences below we will establish how to detect the base and guest language as well as the impact it has on the sentence structure.
A) Ik heb gekocht the last