Code alternation in pre service teachers’ verbal communication in Oyo and Ogun states: reasons and implications

Abstract

Code alternation has become a common feature of oral conversation among bilinguals. However, scholars do not agree on the reasons for this. While some see it as a sign of linguistic deficiency, some see it as a welcome development and a normal feature of bilinguals. Several studies have been carried out on incidence of code alternation both locally and internationally. But very few of such studies examined reasons and implications for code alternation among Yoruba/English bilingual students. This study examines the variables that may influence bilingual —pre-service teachers in colleges of education to alternate codes in their verbal communication. Descriptive survey design was adopted in the study and all pre-service teachers at Emmanuel Alcyande College of Education, Oyo, Oyo state and Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State constituted the population. Four hundred students were randomly selected for this study while a self constructed questionnaire titled “Code Alternation in Pre-service Teacher Communication; Reasons and Implications” which had a reliability coefficient index of 0.68 was used to elicit responses from the subjects. Chi square was used to analyse the data generated in the study. Findings revealed that participants' roles and relationship have significant influence on code alternation. Also, there is significant influence of situational factors on code alternation among the pre-service teachers in colleges of education. Based on the findings of the study, appropriate recommendations were made.