The practice of using a mix of languages within sentences to signal belonging is called what?

• A. Code mixing
• B. Code switching
• C. Language borrowing
• D. Diglossia

Answer: (A)

Mixing languages inside a single sentence signals belonging to a social group. This is code mixing. It happens when a speaker inserts words or phrases from another language into the sentence structure of their base language to express identity or solidarity. It differs from code switching, which usually occurs at the boundaries between clauses or sentences rather than within one sentence. Borrowing is taking a word from another language into the lexicon over time, not necessarily blending it within an utterance. Diglossia describes a society using two language varieties for different functions, not the act of blending languages in one sentence.