Code-Switching and Code-Mixing in Sesotho Accordion Music: A Sociolinguistic Perspective

This article explores the use of code-switching/mixing in Sesotho accordion music within a sociolinguistic framework. Code-switching/mixing is one of the sociolinguistic concepts that is mainly highlighted in conversation. It refers to switching or mixing between two or more languages in the context of a single conversation or situation. Just like a conversation, Sesotho accordion music also exhibits the phenomenon of code-switching/mixing. The Basotho accordion music (’mino oa koriana) is one of the forms of the oral tradition from Lesotho whose singing is accompanied by a homemade drum, and it has its own unique and acceptable taste. This music is seen as both captivating and complex. We observe that its fascination and its complex features are a result of the incorporation of code-switching/mixing in a single song. We know how the songs are generated, and they are part of the generic culture and popular culture of the people. We purposively selected four songs from recorded tapes that used code-switching/mixing. Using critical discourse analysis, the results reveal that code-switching/mixing in the accordion music of the Basotho reflects intertextuality, which includes borrowing, inclusion and exclusion, literary and conversational intertextuality. The study also shows that code-switching/mixing reflects repetition used for emphasis, clarity or amplification. The findings further express affirmation of class/age identity and the intention of clarifying the speech content for the interlocutor. One of the emerging issues is that change in pronunciation may reflect tone and register in the accordion music of the Basotho.