CODE-SWITCHING AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF BILINGUAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

This study explores the phenomenon of code-switching among bilingual university students and its role in constructing social identity within digital communication environments. In multilingual societies, particularly where Urdu and English coexist, students frequently alternate between languages in online interactions such as messaging apps, social media platforms, and academic discussions. Grounded in sociolinguistic and discourse-analytic frameworks, this research examines how code-switching functions as a linguistic resource for expressing identity, negotiating social relationships, and signaling group membership. A qualitative approach is employed, analyzing naturally occurring digital conversations and written communication of bilingual students. The study investigates patterns of language alternation and the pragmatic motivations behind such shifts. The findings are expected to demonstrate that code-switching is not a random linguistic behavior but a purposeful strategy for identity construction, emotional expression, and contextual adaptation. It also highlights how bilingual students strategically use language to navigate between formal and informal social spaces. This research contributes to sociolinguistics by deepening the understanding of bilingual identity formation in the context of digital communication and globalization.