The USE OF CODE-MIXING IN THE JAPANESE PODCAST GOLDNRUSH SERIES : CYBER RUI

Abstract

Language is constantly evolving, especially in digital spaces where cultures intersect. This study delves into code-mixing in the GOLDNRUSH podcast, specifically in the episode "Cyber Rui no Imada Katsute Katararenakatta Monogatari." By drawing on Ronald Wardhaugh’s theoretical framework, and Otsuji and Pennycook's concept of metrolingualism, it explores how and why Japanese speakers incorporate English into their conversations. Using a qualitative descriptive approach with discourse analysis, this research examines podcast transcriptions to uncover patterns of English insertions within Japanese speech. The findings reveal that speakers use code-mixing to express emotions, enhance clarity, and assert social identity, particularly within Japan’s entertainment and music industries. Based on the data obtained, the code-mixing that occurs is intra sentential code-mixing, where several English vocabulary items are inserted into Japanese utterances, indicating the presence of codemixing phenomena. This study sheds light on the dynamic relationship between language and society in digital media. It offers valuable insights into how bilingual speakers navigate linguistic choices, contributing to a deeper understanding of language use in an increasingly globalized world.