Complementiser and determiner language preference in code-switching sentences rated by Gibraltarian adolescents

Determiner and complementiser language preference in English-Spanish code-switching has been tested on several occasions, but not in Gibraltar. We asked adolescents in Gibraltar to rate different patterns of intrasentential code-switching, focusing on switches between the main and complementiser phrase in the clausal domain, and between determiners and nouns in the nominal domain, to establish switch preferences regarding complementisers and determiners. Results were compared to a previous investigation to determine similarities between communities in favour of integrated language proposals of bilingual grammar. Findings showed all constructions were rated positively (with over 50% acceptability). Complementisers produced higher acceptability in English and when paired with an English complementiser phrase. Spanish complementisers showed preference to a degree, as both the second and third highest rated combinations (containing a Spanish complementiser) were significantly more highly rated than the remaining combination. Grammar preferences in constructions including an additional switch for determiners did not produce conclusive data.