Subject-predicate code-switching
Bryan Koronkiewicz · Issues in Hispanic and Lusophone linguistics · 2020
Abstract There is continued debate on what determines the rule-governed behavior of intrasentential code-switching. Central to this debate is whether it is essential to differentiate between the languages involved, i.e., a matrix language and an embedded language . In favor of such an approach is Myers-Scotton’s (1993 , 2002 ) Matrix Language Frame Model, whereas MacSwan’s (1999 , 2014 ) Minimalist approach to code-switching operates independently of such a notion. To compare these two frameworks, a written Acceptability Judgment Task was completed by highly proficient Spanish-English bilinguals. The results suggest that the (un)grammaticality of the subject-predicate switch in embedded contexts does not align with the predictions made by the proposal by Jake (1994) , an analysis that operates under the Matrix Language Frame Model. Proposals within the Minimalist approach to code-switching, both van Gelderen and MacSwan (2008) and González-Vilbazo and Koronkiewicz (2016) , however, are effective at predicting grammaticality.