Investigating Code Switching in Hamid’s Fiction The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Abstract

This study aims to categorize the forms of code-switching and justify the reasons for its use in The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007) by Mohsin Hamid. Code-switching is a common phenomenon in linguistically diverse countries like Pakistan due to language contact. Analyzing this phenomenon in literary works enriches sociolinguistic research. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through content analysis. Poplack’s (1980) framework identified forms of code-switching, while Hoffman’s (1991) theory explained the motives behind its use in the novel. The study found tag switching to be the most prevalent type (47%), followed by inter-sentential (28%) and intra-sentential switching (25%). The motives included expressing group identity, interjection, empathy, repetition, and discussing specific topics. Addressing excessive code-switching in literature may involve fostering bilingual proficiency and promoting linguistic sensitivity among authors. Future research could explore code-switching's impact on reader comprehension and engagement in multilingual contexts.