Code-switching in Malaysian stand-up comedy performances: A case study of comedian Harith Iskander.

Abstract

Usage of code-switching in the scene of stand-up comedy is one of many creative strategies for comedians to deliver jokes and connect with a multilingual audience. However, not many employ this strategy, especially in Malaysia. Malaysian stand-up comedians rarely use code-switching in the delivery of their jokes as many use the local variety of English in achieving humour. Code-switching enables comedians to reach out to their audience and ensures their jokes are delivered more effectively and appreciated by the audience. Centring upon the use of code-switching from English to Malay in two stand-up comedy performances by a well-known Malaysian artist, Harith Iskander, this article delves into the frequently used forms and functions of code-switching found in the performances. Shana Poplack’s categorisation of code-switching and Hoffman’s functions of code-switching frame the basis of this descriptive analysis. Both frameworks are used to determine the types of code-switching used and its functions. The findings show that intrasentential code-switching is the most used in one performance while tag switching is used most frequently in the other performances. The discrepancy of outcomes between the two performances is a result of language accommodation by the comedian for the target audience; the first performance is targeted to a Malay audience while the second has a more diverse audience. In terms of functions of code-switching in both performances, they differ only in frequencies; where code-switching is mostly used to talk about a particular topic and express group identity in the first performance while in the second, it mainly functions as interjection. The overall results show that the target audience influences the way code-switching is used by stand-up comedians in order to engage with them. The findings indicate that code-switching becomes less prominent when the audience is more diverse. This implies that the type of audience influences the extent and limits on code switching in stand-up comedy. This research can benefit stand-up comedians regarding the incorporation of code-switching in delivering jokes.