What is code-mixing?

Code-mixing is basically the academic term that refers to the insertion of foreign words into one's mother-tongue conversation. While it may not sound like a familiar word to the average person, it certainly has a great significance in the field of linguistics, the scientific study of language. Before this term was invented, mixed languages may not have any recognition at all, as most people just tend to treat it as a form of language used as a convenient means of communication. Just like with non-native varieties of English, there also never used to be such recognition until the popularity of the language increases to a point where the language is said to be nativised.

So this begs the questions: Can a mixed language become nativised? In the case of Hong Kong Cantonese where so many English words are inserted into the speaker's Cantonese conversation, it has always been criticised as being pretentious, arising from a lack of mother-tongue language proficiency, and much more. But whose opinion is right? In any case, there have been many scholars throughout history who have written research papers and theses on deciphering the rules and constraints of mixed languages, which this dictionary aims to gather alongside people's suggested word definitions and examples.

But whether you're a Hong Konger or a foreigner who is still trying to understand this Cantonese-English mixed language, you can also contribute to supporting this language by suggesting your own definition! Please click the button below to register or login, in order to submit your words and definition.