Sociolinguistic Functions of Code-Switching in Multilingual Communication: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the sociolinguistic functions of code-switching in multilingual communication through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). It focuses on pragmatic functions, social identity construction, interpersonal solidarity, situational adaptation, digital communication, and code-switching in educational and professional settings. The research method was designed around a search for journal articles published between 2021 and 2026 in scholarly databases, using keywords related to code-switching, sociolinguistics, social identity, and multilingual communication. Articles were to be selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and subsequently analyzed through data extraction and thematic synthesis. The conceptual synthesis identified six major themes: pragmatic functions, social identity, interpersonal solidarity, situational adaptation, digital communication, and pedagogical functions. These findings suggest that code-switching is not merely a linguistic structural phenomenon but also a communicative resource for conveying intentions, negotiating identities, building social relationships, and adapting messages to interactional contexts. This study highlights the importance of integrating linguistic analysis with social context to understand multilingual communication practices. Further research is needed to compare code-switching functions across different language communities and communication platforms, including the use of regional languages in Indonesian society.