English-Vietnamese code-mixing in the communication of Vietnamese students: A case study of universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Keywords:
English-Vietnamese code-mixing, communication optimization, Self-determination theory, cognitive load, higher educationAbstract
This paper investigates the phenomenon of English-Vietnamese code-mixing within the communicative practices of Information Technology (IT) students in Ho Chi Minh City. Utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the study analyzes a survey sample of 302 students and a corpus of 1,352 authentic linguistic utterances. The research framework integrates Muysken’s (2000) typology of code-mixing with the Self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000) to examine these linguistic behaviors. This paper argues that code-mixing is not a result of lexical deficiency; rather, it functions as a deliberate communication optimization strategy. This behavior is driven by instrumental motivation aimed at achieving terminological precision and conciseness in the transmission of specialized information.
Empirical results indicate that insertion is the predominant strategy, accounting for 80.5% of the data, often accompanied by morphological assimilation to ensure compatibility with Vietnamese grammar. However, the study identifies a significant "cognitive paradox": despite a highly positive attitudinal reception among students (>90%), an excessive frequency of foreign language interspersion generates an "extraneous cognitive load." This load creates substantial barriers to knowledge acquisition, particularly for learners with limited English proficiency. Consequently, the paper proposes the implementation of "controlled code-switching" and the standardization of specialized terminology to balance the objectives of international integration with the preservation of the Vietnamese language's purity in higher education.
Downloads
References
Bokamba, E. G. (1988). Code-mixing, language variation, and linguistic theory: Evidence from Bantu languages. Lingua, 76(1), 21-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3841(88)90017-4
Boztepe, E. (2003). Issues in code-switching: Competing theories and models. Studies in Applied Linguistics & TESOL, 3(2).
Bui, T. T. T. (2025). Hiện tượng chêm xen ngôn ngữ trong giao tiếp của sinh viên chuyên Anh Trường Đại học Thương Mại [The phenomenon of code-mixing in the communication of English majors at Thuongmai University]. Tap chi Khoa hoc Truong Dai hoc Mo Ha Noi [Hanoi Open University Journal of Science], 122, 27-33.https://doi.org/10.59266/houjs.2024.517
Cook, V. J. (1992). Evidence for multicompetence. Language Learning, 42(4), 557-591.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum Press.
Ezeh, N. G., Umeh, I. A., & Anyanwu, E. C. (2022). Code switching and code mixing in teaching and learning of English as a second language: Building on knowledge. English Language Teaching, 15(9), 106-113. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v15n9p106
Fadliyah, R., Dollah, S., & Muhayyang, M. (2023). An analysis of code mixing used by EFL students in the classroom presentation. ARRUS Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(4), 416-429. https://doi.org/10.35877/soshum1905
Fasold, R. (1990). The sociolinguistics of language. Basil Blackwell.
Gardner, R. C. (1985). Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitude and motivation. Edward Arnold.
Grosjean, F. (1982). Life with two languages: An introduction to bilingualism. Harvard University Press.
Jiang, Y. L. B., García, G. E., & Willis, A. I. (2014). Code-mixing as a bilingual instructional strategy. Bilingual Research Journal, 37(3), 311–326. https://doi.org/10.1080/15235882.2014.963738
Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge University Press.
Le, T. T. V., Tran, T. H., & Nguyen, T. T. (2022). Hiện tượng chêm xen ngôn ngữ trong nhan đề bài báo điện tử [The phenomenon of code-mixing in online newspaper headlines]. Trong Hội thảo khoa học quốc gia (UNC): Nghiên cứu và giảng dạy ngoại ngữ, ngôn ngữ và quốc tế học tại Việt Nam. NXB Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội [National Scientific Conference (UNC): Research and teaching foreign languages, linguistics and international studies in Vietnam] (Vol. 1, pp. 624-630). Vietnam National University Press.
Li, D. C. S. (2008). Understanding mixed code and classroom code-switching: Myths and realities. New Horizons in Education, 56(3), 75–87.
Moradi, H. (2014). A survey on code-mixing, code-switching, language alteration and interference. Indian Journal of Applied Research, 4(10).
Muysken, P. (2000). Bilingual speech: A typology of code-mixing. Cambridge University Press.
Myers-Scotton, C. (1993). Social motivation for code-switching. Clarendon Press.
Nguyen, T. N. (2017). English borrowings and scale of borrowability in Vietnamese magazines. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 33(3), 44-52.
Nguyen, V. K. (2012). Ngôn ngữ học xã hội [Sociolinguistics]. Vietnam Education Publishing House.
Nguyen, V. K. (2019). Cơ sở lý thuyết và thực tiễn liên quan đến nghiên cứu tình hình sử dụng ngôn ngữ ở vùng dân tộc thiểu số Việt Nam - Một số vấn đề về đa ngữ xã hội [Theoretical and practical basis related to the Research situation of using language in ethnic Minority areas of vietnam - some issues on social Multi-language]. Tạp chí Khoa học, Giáo dục và Công nghệ [Journal of Science, Education and Technology], 8(3), 43-51. https://doi.org/10.25073/0866-773X/327
Nteziyaremye, A., Ndizeye, A., Nzabakirana, A., Benimana, R., & Mugisha, P. (2024). The impact of code switching and code mixing on learning of English language in lower secondary school level: A case study of selected schools in Rubavu District, Rwanda. African Journal of Empirical Research, 5(3), 571-587.
Poeste, M., Müller, N., & Arnaus Gil, L. (2019). Code-mixing and language dominance: Bilingual, trilingual and multilingual children compared. International Journal of Multilingualism, 16(4), 459–491. https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2019.1569017
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
Sharp, H. (2007). Swedish–English language mixing. World Englishes, 26(2), 224-240. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971X.2007.00503.x
Thomason, S. G., & Kaufman, T. (2023). Language contact, creolization, and genetic linguistics. University of California Press.
Tran, H. A., & Duong, T. T. Q.(2024). Từ ngữ chêm xen tiếng Anh trong giao tiếp văn phòng ở Ngân hàng Á Châu tại Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh [English code-mixing in office communication at Asia Commercial Bank in Ho Chi Minh City]. Tạp chí Khoa học Đại học Đồng Tháp [Dong Thap University Journal of Science], 13(02S), 138-151. https://doi.org/10.52714/dthu.13.02S.2024.1363
Tran, T. C., & Do, T. T. H. (2015). Patterns of code-mixing of English in Hoa Hoc Tro magazine in Vietnam. VNU Journal of Science: Foreign Studies, 31(4), 11-24.
Wardhaugh, R., & Fuller, J. M. (2015). An introduction to sociolinguistics (7th ed.). Wiley Blackwell.
Weinreich, U. (1953). Languages in contact: Findings and problems. The Hauge-Paris: Mouton.
Published on: 01-07-2026
Also Available On
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Quoc Hoang
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors contributing to this journal retain the copyright of their articles but agree to publish their articles under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, for any purpose, even commercially, under the condition that appropriate credit is given, that a link to the license is provided, and that they indicate if changes were made. They may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses them or their use.
