And She Be like 'Tenemos Frijoles en la Casa

Code-Switching and Identity Construction on YouTube

Bibliographic Data

ID5900146
AuthorsMichael Wentker (0000-0003-1626-5743, University of Duisburg-Essen, corresponding author), Carolin Schneider (0000-0003-4282-1213, Utrecht University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume7
Issue3
Pages219
Publication date2022-08-18
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLanguages (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2226-471X • E-ISSN: 2226-471X
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/languages7030219
OpenAlexW4292246719
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

This empirical case study explores the (co-)construction and negotiation of identities through code-switching (CS) as found on the video-sharing platform YouTube, disentangling the complexities of social practice anchored in a discursive online environment. Drawing on a YouTube comment corpus and paying special attention to the socio-technical affordances of the platform, the study examines users' positioning practices and metapragmatic replies in response to a culturally themed video priming discussion about LatinX family stereotypes. More specifically, it analyses how users discursively position themselves vis-à-vis the video and which linguistic strategies they exploit to (co-)construct and negotiate their cultural identity. Focusing on interrelated positioning devices such as code-choice, identity labels and quoting, this contribution proposes a multi-level model of analysis to account for the dynamic interplay between CS practices and identity construction in a heterogeneous online space. Following a social-constructivist approach to identity, CS is shown to reinforce in-group solidarity rooted in the shared experience and discussion of LatinX culture and provides evidence of a sense of togetherness in an emerging community of practice

Aesthetics · Affordance · Code (set theory · Code-switching · Construct (python library · Human–computer interaction · Identity (music · Identity negotiation · Linguistics · Negotiation · Online identity · Political science · Social constructionism · Sociology · Solidarity · The Internet · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Digital Communication and Language · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology · Social Psychology

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