The Emergence of Russian-English Code-switching in Contemporary Rap Music. A Sociolinguistic Analysis

Seminar paper from the year 2021 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,0, University of Hamburg, course: Linguistic Manifestations: Code-switching, language: English, abstract: Code-switching, a pervasive linguistic phenomenon, has been extensively studied across various linguistic approaches. While traditionally examined in speech acts, recent scholarly interest has shifted towards analyzing code-switching in song lyrics, offering unique insights, especially in the globalized realm of music. This paper delves into the underexplored territory of Russian-English code-switching in Russian rap, a genre gaining popularity worldwide. Examining the sociolinguistic motivations and social functions behind the use of English in Russian rap, the study navigates through theoretical foundations of code-switching, prior research in musical contexts, and the evolving landscape of Russian rap within contemporary society. The analysis of data illuminates the patterns and purposes of code-switching in this genre. The paper concludes with a brief summary and outlines potential avenues for future research.