Estudios Irlandeses , Number 3, 2008, pp. 29-41
_______________________________________________________________________________________AEDEI
Code-Mixing
in Biliterate and Multiliterate Irish Literary Texts
Tina Bennett-Kastor
Wichita State University
Copyright (c) 2008 by Tina Bennett-Kastor. This text may be archived and redistributed both in
electronic form and in hard copy, provided that the author and journal are properly cited and no
fee is charged for access.
Abstract. Code-mixing and code-switching are common and well-documented processes in the
speech of multilingual persons. Where multilingual persons are also literate in each language,
code-mixing is also possible in writing. Despite conservative pressures which tend to deem only
one of the languages in a linguistic repertoire the prestige variety, and therefore the primary
choice for written expression, multiliterate authors who are able to assume a multiliterate
readership may use two or more languages in their texts. Some theories of code-mixing are here
summarized, along with a review of code-mixing in spoken Irish. Examination of code-mixing
in modern and contemporary Irish literary texts shows that, structurally, written code-mixing is
for the most part similar to what is observed in spoken language. Functionally, however, written
mixing often has wider aims. Because writing is a planned and conscious form of language,
multilingual writers utilize their greater linguistic repertoires strategically by imbuing different
languages with different symbolic meanings. A full appreciation of such texts requires an
understanding not just of the languages involved, but also of their functions in the cultural
environment and the historical, political, and cultural associations with the other languages.
Key words. Multilingual writing, bilingual literacy, bilingual literary texts, written code-
mixing, code-switching.
Resumen. El cambio de lengua y la mezcla de lengua son procesos comunes y bien
documentados en el habla de las