Code-switching....?

Question

I speak 3 languages everyday...English, French and Mauritian creole...but I cannot express myself clearly in either 3 languages.
People find it hard to follow me because I tend to switch languages. What do I do? People speak mostly French and Creole here, but English remains the 'official' language.

Answer 1

Set a time apart for each of the three languages, (or just for one first.)
In that time you try to only speak the language that is set for that time. Maybe you can get the other people in your house (if you share it) to help you or do it with you.
Or you read, watch TV or film, listen to radio, visit websites in just that language.

Or visit with friends or relatives that speak one language better than the other, and speak only that language with them.

My niece has been brought up bilingual, Dutch and Slovak, and her mother talks Slovak with her, as do her mothers relatives, and her father, and his relatives, Dutch.
Non of us accept words from the other language mixed into the one she is speaking, so she has learnt from baby-hood to separate the languages.
Since yours did get mixed you will need to train yourself to split them again.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I also speak three languages every day (Romanian, French, and English) and it happens sometimes that I catch myself saying something in Romanian while I'm teaching French (doesn't matter though, since my students don't really know the difference :)) or use an expression in English that is in fact from French...However, with my family, I essentially have "carte blanche" and blend all three together without any problems...

In any case, if you feel that this code-switching is interfering with your daily interactions, try and focus on the languages that you will need the most (i.e. for school, for work, for services, etc.). Force yourself to speak those languages, and those only - catch yourself slipping into the other code and start your sentence again in the original language you were speaking (it's no doubt going to feel awkward). Also try to "immerse" yourself more and more in situations where one language or the other is being used...

As well, you may investigate taking some courses in conversation (whether it be English or French) so that you can practice and get redirection if you fall into another language midway.

I don't know if you'll find this helpful or not...but I tried.

Answer 3

Code switching as a way of verbal exchange related to a speaker alternating among one language and yet another on the stage of sentence. Code blending is using detail of language similar to phrases, terms, into yet another language with out difference the subject. Code blending occurs in a unmarried sentence or utterance with out holiday the grammatical regulations of the primary language.

Answer 4

well if most people speak french and creole practice saying just those OR 'think be4 u speak'

Answer 5

Puisque tu parles à la base le créole mauricien , tu dois opter pour la langue la plus apparentée : le français.
Tu dis que les gens parlent principalement le créole et le français alors il te sera beaucoup plus facile au début de perfectionner ton français.
En fait,il y a tellement de ressemblances qu'avec 1 ou 2 ans de travail assidu tu y arriveras sans problème.
Ainsi tu seras devenue une francophone parfaite.
Ta langue dans laquelle tu te sentiras le plus à l'aise sera le français , mais ensuite ça ne t'empechera pas d'approfondir ton anglais si tu le souhaites.
D'ailleurs si tu es à l'ile Maurice , tu peux aller parfois à La Réunion tu entendras encore parler français.