Code Switching in Original Pilipino Music (OPM)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Man's thought has been best known for its creativity. Thus, it is not surprising to notice people who are creatively making new forms of utterances and switching languages within the same statement. This is referred to as code-switching. Code-switching as a field of study has a rich and varied literature and reached even the world of music. Music is a social phenomenon for Filipinos and a day in a Filipino teenager is a musical experience. This intertwining of language, music, and culture is realized in code-switching in Original Pilipino Music (OPM). However, there is a dearth of literature and studies when it comes to code-switching as used in OPMs.

METHODS

A descriptive-correlational approach was used in this study. The study investigated the attitudes of teenagers towards OPMs and the significant relationship between gender and their attitudes on code-switching in OPMs. Forty-one students responded to an attitudinnaire. The data analysis consisted of three parts. The first dealt with the most commonly used level of code-switching structure in OPMs. Secondly, it dealt with the general attitude of the respondents per gender. Lastly, the means were compared to determine the significant difference between the attitudes of male and female respondents.

RESULTS

The study showed the preponderance of word-level code switching OPMs. It also showed a generally positive attitude towards code-switching in the OPMs. However, male in this study manifested a preference for pure Tagalog OPMs. To validate, an interview was conducted and their reasons for preference range from personal to nationalistic. In contrast, female respondents tend to strongly agree that code-switching is a creative form of the languages involved than males. This implies that female respondents believe that the use of code-switching in OPM is a manifestation of creativity.

DISCUSSIONS

Knowledge of different structural levels is relevant to language studies specifically on lexis and morphology. Pedagogically, learners will realize the appropriateness of language depending on the type of genre and the degree of text formality and they can use these creatively and appropriately in their repertoire of language for communication situations. In academic writing, formal use of the language is encouraged. Sociolinguistically, usage of code-switching in informal communicative events help communicators express themselves. So, teachers are encouraged to be tolerant when they hear students code-switching.