How Code-Switching Affects Communications in the Indian Workplace

Multilingual interactions between individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds are constantly occurring, especially in today’s globalised society Code switching occurs when a speaker alternates between two or more languages or language varieties, in the context of a single conversation or situation. Milroy and Muyksen (1995) mentioned that code-switching is “the alternative use by bilinguals of two or more languages in the same conversation”. This research is to gather and understand the information on code-switching and its effect in Indian workplaces as many Indians are bilingual with the capability of understanding more than one language. Code-switching occurs because at least one speaker wishes to redefine the interaction by moving it to a different social arena. It enables people to connect to one another and create a common bond where people can shed mutual similarities, helping in positive culture and boosts morale. The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence of code-switching in Indian workplaces and its various effects on professional communication, identity formation, workplace hierarchy, and team collaboration. We will also examine how code-switching can be both a resource for effective communication and a challenge for organisational cohesion.