Language Gambit: Code-Switching, English Competence, and the Jordanian University Bragging Social Network

Abstract

The aim of this research is to establish the relations between codeswitching, English performance, social capital, and social class among Jordanian college learners.The study uses a selfadministrated questionnaire, interviews, and social network analysis to achieve its objective.The results also align with the null hypothesis concerning English language usage and code-switching at varying levels of social capital, as well as perceived social and economic reward, power, and status.It also includes an analysis of how students develop a tendency to over emphasize their fluency in English, as well as the moderation effect of the exercise of English on the relation between code-switching and status.In the case of the qualitative data, we use structural equation modelling (SEM), descriptive and inferential statistics, and theme analysis to analyze the retrieved data.The findings will thus describe the overall language use, interpersonal processes, and perceived opportunities in the context of the Jordanian university scene.As a result, by bringing up the previously ignored topic of boasting in English and presenting a more nuanced view of code-switching as a social strategy tool, the study attempts to offer new angles.The article focuses on the possible implications of language policies and practices intended for language diversity and students' assimilation.Thus, adopting a stringent multi-method approach specific to the Jordanian context, this work maps language use, social capital, and social status, contributing to the existing literature's deficit.