ELF couples and automatic code-switching

Abstract

Abstract English as a lingua franca (ELF) research has primarily concentrated on academic or business contexts so far, leaving private communication with little or no attention. This article approaches ELF use in the private sphere with focus on code-switching, by studying interviews from six couples who use ELF as the main language of the relationship. By combining conversation analysis (CA) with content analysis, it is discovered that sometimes ELF couples code-switch automatically, without noticeable awareness of switching. This, together with the observation that all couples mentioned using code-switching, indicates that ELF couples allow a relaxed attitude towards language mixing within the couple's shared range, where code-switching facilitates meaning-making without jeopardising understanding. This strategy may over time turn into such an automated process that it sometimes arises unexpectedly. The data also indicates a less restrained use of code-switching among multilingual couples who share several fluent languages.