Which statement best defines code-mixing in language learning?

Which statement best defines code-mixing in language learning?

• A. Mixing of two languages at the word level. One word in a sentence is in a different language.
• B. Language switch. Occurs when bilinguals speak with each other.
• C. Grammatically correct, comprehensible sentences.
• D. Error becomes habitual in L2.

Answer: (A)

Code-mixing is when a speaker blends elements from two languages inside a single sentence. You might hear or read a sentence where one word from another language appears in an otherwise consistent sentence, such as “I went to la tienda to buy bread” or “She is muy talented.” This shows how bilinguals pull from both languages in real time, sometimes because a word in one language captures a meaning more precisely or quickly. The other options don’t fit as well. A broader language switch or switching can happen across longer stretches of speech or between sentences, not necessarily within one sentence. A grammatically correct sentence is about structure, not language blending. An error that becomes habitual describes fossilized mistakes in L2 use, not code-mixing.

Code-mixing is when a speaker blends elements from two languages inside a single sentence. You might hear or read a sentence where one word from another language appears in an otherwise consistent sentence, such as “I went to la tienda to buy bread” or “She is muy talented.” This shows how bilinguals pull from both languages in real time, sometimes because a word in one language captures a meaning more precisely or quickly.

The other options don’t fit as well. A broader language switch or switching can happen across longer stretches of speech or between sentences, not necessarily within one sentence. A grammatically correct sentence is about structure, not language blending. An error that becomes habitual describes fossilized mistakes in L2 use, not code-mixing.