This article sets out to parse code-switched discourse samples involving Bassa and French, using the Matrix Language Frame Model proposed by Scotton. The model is based on the assumption that in code-switching, there must be a dominant language referred to as the Matrix Language (ML) and a gap filler language referred to as the Embedded Language (EL). It is further claimed in this model that the ML is always the first language of the speaker, who code-switches, and also the dominant language in the linguistic environment where code-switching occurs. The model was applied to two codes: Swahili-English, and French-Arabic. In the present article, the endeavor is to find out how Scotton’s model unravels code-switching in a multilingual context where three or four codes may be involved in modules considered to be two codes at surface level. The endeavor is also to find out how the model sorts out the dominant language, i.e. the Matrix Language in Code-switched discourse samples with a 50/50 morpheme split. It has equally been argued in the present contribution that discourse dominance or the morpheme frequency criterion is not the only variable to be used to predict, and carve out the ML in switched or mixed discourse. There are, indeed, switched data where focus prevails over morpheme dominance.RÉSUMÉCet article a pour but d’analyser des exemples de mélange de codes impliquant le Bassa et le français en se servant du modèle proposé par Scotton, lequel porte sur l’ossature de productions orales entremêlées. Selon ce modèle, dans chaque mélange de codes, il y a nécesssairement une langue dominante appelée la Matrice, et une langue secondaire, celle des éléments enchasés. Le modèle soutient ,en outre, que la matrice est toujours la première langue de l’individu qui procède au mélange de codes, et aussi la langue la plus en vue dans la communauté linguistique où le mélange de codes s’effectue. Ce modèle a été testé sur deux codes: le Swahili et l’anglais, et l’arabe et le français. Dans le présent article, notre souci est de voir comment le modèle proposé par Scotton traite la question du mélange de codes dans un context multilingue où trois voire quatre codes peuvent être impliqués dans des modules considérés comme deux codes du point de vue de la surface. Notre souci est aussi de voir comment le modèle de Scotton parvient à dégager la langue dominante, c’est-à-dire la matrice dans les productions orales entremêlées où le même nombre de morphèmes est enregistré dans les deux langues ou codes mélangés . La présente contribution se propose aussi d’émettre l’idée selon laquelle la matrice d’une production orale mêlée ne se diétecte pas seulement sur la base de la dominance morphologique, mais aussi et parfois sur le focus de la production.
Scotton’s Matrix, Language Frame Model, Bassa-French Code-Switched Discourse Samples
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