Cover not available

Article published In: Journal of Language and Sexuality
Vol. 13:1 (2024) ► pp.76–97

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload PDF
EPUB logo with download linkDownload EPUB
authorization required

Cross-cultural code-switching for sexuality professionals

 | Widener UniversityChesterPA, USA
 | Widener UniversityChesterPA, USA
 | Widener UniversityChesterPA, USA
Published online: 30 January 2024
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/jls.00031.lev
Abstract
Sexuality professionals (sexologists) often communicate from a broad perspective of sexuality based on unique training. Cross-cultural code-switching is useful for sexologists to communicate with those who have different sexological worldviews. We discuss the concept of cross-cultural code-switching and its usefulness for sexuality professionals. We consider the theories behind the usefulness of this tactic in one’s work as a sexologist and offer practical considerations for effective code-switching across cultures. We observe the power dynamics in code-switching and offer this theoretical work as a way to raise one’s awareness to these realities of communication in the roles sexuality professionals hold in the world.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Contextualizing cross-cultural code-switching
    • 2.1Contextualizing culture
    • 2.2Brief history of code-switching
    • 2.3Functional definitions for sexologists
  • 3.Theoretical grounding for sexuality professionals
  • 4.Theory in practice: The art of code-switching
    • 4.1Areas to consider while code-switching
      • 4.1.1Operation
      • 4.1.2Belief systems
      • 4.1.3Reason/purpose
      • 4.1.4Self-awareness
    • 4.2Possible barriers in code-switching for the sexologist
      • 4.2.1Conflict with values
      • 4.2.2Ethnocentrism
      • 4.2.3Lack of knowledge of cultural norms
      • 4.2.4Lack of metacognitive ability (awareness of when to use cultural knowledge)
  • 5.Power dynamics and code-switching
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
References (62)
References
Alfaraz, Gabriela G. 2009. Language alternation and choice in a formal register: Spanish and English in bilingual Catholic services. International Journal of Bilingualism 13(4): 419–445. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Appel, René & Muysken, Pieter. 1987. Language Contact and Bilingualism. London: Edward Arnold.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Argenter, Joan A. 2005. Did our ancestors code-switch? Inferring from written records. In ISB4: Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Bilingualism, James Cohen, Kara T. McAlister, Kellie Rolstad & Jeff MacSwan (eds), 84–93. Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bailey, Benjamin. 2011. Multilingual forms of talk and identity work. In APA Handbook of Intercultural Communication, David Matsumoto (ed), 145–168. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Barna, Laray M. 1994. Stumbling blocks in intercultural communication. In Intercultural Communication: A Reader, Larry A. Samovar & Richard E. Porter (eds), 337–346. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bazerman, Charles. 2009. Issue brief: Discourse communities. National Council of Teachers of English. 〈[URL][URL]〉 (September 29, 2023)
Bennett, Milton J. 1986. A developmental approach to training for intercultural sensitivity. International Journal of Intercultural Relations 10(2): 179–196. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(ed). 1998. Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication: Boston, MA: Intercultural Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Benson, Erica J. 2001. The neglected early history of codeswitching research in the United States. Language & Communication 21(1): 23–36. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Blom, Jan-Petter & Gumperz, John J. 1972. Social meaning in linguistic structures: Code-switching in Norway. In Directions in Sociolinguistics: The Ethnography of Communication, John J. Gumperz & Dell Hymes (eds), 407–434. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Chou, Rosalind S. & Feagin, Joe R. 2016. The Myth of the Model Minority: Asian Americans Facing Racism. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cushner, Kenneth, McClelland, Averil & Safford, Philip. 2012. Human Diversity in Education: An Intercultural Approach. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Deters, Ping. 2011. Identity, Agency and the Acquisition of Professional Language and Culture. London: Continuum.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
DuBois, William E. B. 1994[1903]. The Souls of Black Folk. New York: Dover Publications.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Elias, Amanuel. 2017. Racism, anti-racism and intercultural dialogue. In Interculturalism at the Crossroads: Comparative Perspectives on Concepts, Policies and Practices, Fethi Mansouri (ed), 257–276. Paris: UNESCO.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Ervin-Tripp, Susan. 1964. An analysis of the interaction of language, topic, and listener. American Anthropologist 66(6): 86–102. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Espinosa, Aurelio M. 1911. The Spanish language in New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Historical Society of Mexico 161: 1–37.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Garson, Kyra, Padda, Harminder & Qazi, Amna. 2021. Engaging students with intercultural and anti-racism resources. Teaching Practices Colloquium, Virtual. 〈[URL]〉 (September 29, 2023)
Harris, Ida. 2019. Code-switching is not trying to fit in to White culture, it’s surviving it. Yes! Solutions Journalism. 〈[URL]〉 (September 29, 2023)
Hedgepeth, Evonne & Helmich, Joan. 1996. Teaching about Sexuality and HIV: Principles and Methods for Effective Education. New York: New York University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hofstede, Geert, Hofstede, Gert Jan & Minkov, Michael. 2010. Culture and Organizations: Software of the Mind. New York: McGraw Hill.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Horndern, Amanda J. & Street, Ammette F. 2007. Communicating about patient sexuality and intimacy after cancer: Mismatched expectations and unmet needs. Medical Journal of Australia 186(5): 224–227. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Israel, Tania. 2002. Studying sexuality: Strategies for surviving stigma. Feminism & Psychology 12(2): 256–260. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Janks, Hilary. 2010. Language, power and pedagogies. In Sociolinguistics and Language Education, Nancy H. Hornberger & Sandra Lee McKay (eds), 40–61. Bristol: Multilingual Matters. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Jawed-Wessel, Sofia. 2019. Dismantling traditional teen pregnancy prevention approaches: Moving from a risk to rights-based approach. (Paper presented at 2019 AASECT Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA)
Kamwangamalu, Nkonko M. 2010. Multilingualism and codeswitching in education. In Sociolinguistics and Language Education, Nancy H. Hornberger & Sandra Lee McKay (eds), 116–142. Bristol: Multilingual Matters. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Koltko-Rivera, Mark E. 2004. The psychology of worldviews. Review of General Psychology 8(1): 3–58. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Levand, Mark A. & Canan, Sasha N. 2018. Navigating sexualization as a sexuality professional: Recommendations from sexuality educators at the 2016 National Sex Ed Conference. American Journal of Sexuality Education 13(1): 94–107. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Love, Edward O. D. 2016. Code-switching with the Gods: The Bilingual (Old Coptic-Greek) Spells of PGM IV (P. Bibliothèque Nationale Supplément Grec. 574) and Their Linguistic, Religious, and Socio-Cultural Context in Late Roman Egypt. Berlin: De Gruyter. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Luria, Mijal, Byers, E. Sandra, Voyer, Susan D. & Mock, Moshe. 2013. Motivations and sexual attitudes, experiences, and behavior of sexuality professionals. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy 39(2): 112–131. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mahootian, Shahrzad. 2006. Code switching and mixing. In Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics, K. Brown (ed), 511–527. Oxford: Elsevier. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Melaku, Tsedale M. & Beeman, Angie. 2020. Academia isn’t a safe haven for conversations about race and racism. Harvard Business Review. 〈[URL]〉 (September 29, 2023)
Molinsky, Andrew. 2007. Cross-cultural code-switching: The psychological challenges of adapting behavior in foreign cultural interactions. Academy of Management Review 32(2): 622–640. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Moore, Danièle. 2010. Code-switching and learning in the classroom. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 5(5): 279–293. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mullen, Alex. 2015. In both our languages: Greek–Latin code-switching in Roman literature. Language & Literature 24(3): 213–232. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Nilep, Chad. 2006. ‘Code switching’ in sociocultural linguistics. Colorado Research in Linguistics 19(1): 1–22.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Okami, Paul. 2002. Causes and consequences of a career in sexuality research. In Handbook for Conducting Research on Human Sexuality, Michael W. Wiederman & Bernard E. Whitley Jr. (eds), 505–512. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Pahta, Päivi. 2012. Code-switching in English of the Middle Ages. In The Oxford Handbook of the History of English, Terttu Nevalainen & Elizabeth Closs Traugott (eds), 528–537. New York: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Pennycook, Alastair & Otsuji, Emi. 2019. Mundane metrolingualism. International Journal of Multilingualism 16(2): 175–186. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Poza, Luis. 2017. Translanguaging: Definitions, implications, and further needs in burgeoning inquiry. Berkeley Review of Education 6(2): 101–128. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Qian, Xiaofang, Tian, Guisen & Wang, Qiang. 2009. Codeswitching in the primary EFL classroom in China – Two case studies. System 37(4): 719–730. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Rampton, Ben. 2003. Youth, race and resistance: A sociolinguistic perspective in micropolitics in England. In Voices of Authority, Monica Heller & Marilyn Martin-Jones (eds), 403–417. Westport, CT: Ablex Publishing.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Rogers, Carl R. & Freiberg, H. Jerome. 1994. Freedom to Learn. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Rokeach, Milton. 1973. The Nature of Human Values. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Schendl, Herbert. 2015. Code-switching in early English literature. Language and Literature: Journal of the Poetics and Linguistics Association 24(3): 233–248. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Scrimgeour, Margaret & Ovsienko, Helen. 2015. Anti-racism and pre-service teacher education: Advocating for intersectional privilege studies. Journal of Educational Enquiry 14(2): 33–44.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Silliman, Jael, Fried, Marlene G., Ross, Loretta & Gutiérrez, Elena R. 2004. Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice. 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: Haymarket Books.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sitron, Justin A. & Dyson, Donald A. 2009. Sexuality attitudes reassessment (SAR): Historical and new considerations for measuring its effectiveness. American Journal of Sexuality Education 4(2): 158–177. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2012. Validation of sexological worldview: A construct for use in the training of sexologists in sexual diversity. SAGE Open 2(1): 1–16. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sitron, Justin A. & Lock, Li. 2022. Sexological worldview development explained by the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. American Journal of Sexuality Education 17(1): 106–124. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Slobin, Dan I. (ed). 1967. A Field Manual for Cross-Cultural Study of the Acquisition of Communicative Competence. Second Draft -- July 1967. Berkeley, CA: University of California.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Smith, Christian. 2016. The conceptual incoherence of ‘culture’ in American sociology. American Sociologist 47(4): 388–415. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Stayton, William R. 1998. A curriculum for training professionals in human sexuality using the sexual attitude restructuring (SAR) model. Journal of Sex Education & Therapy 23(1): 26–32. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Szlachta, Alaina & Champion, Jane. 2020. Working toward culturally responsive sexuality education: Recommendations for becoming a culturally responsive teacher. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community 48(4): 348–364. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Tahir, Naema N. 2021. Understanding arranged marriage: An unbiased analysis of a traditional marital institution. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 35(1): 1–20. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Thielmann, Winfried. 2011. Power and dominance in intercultural communication. In APA Handbook of Intercultural Communication, David Matsumoto (ed), 105–121. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Thompson, Matt. 2013. Five reasons why people code-switch. NPR Code Switch 〈[URL]〉 (September 29, 2023)
Vygotsky, Lev S. 1978. Mind In Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Wells, Megan. 2011. Codeswitching in the comedy of George Lopez. Journal of Applied Language Studies 5(1): 65–76.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Young, Vershawn Ashanti. 2009. Nah, we straight: An argument against code switching. JAC: Journal of Advanced Composition 29(1/2): 49–76.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Zurbriggen, Eileen L. 2002a. Researching sensitive topics: Stories, struggles and strategies. Feminism & Psychology 12(2): 253–255. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2002b. Sexual objectification by research participants: Recent experiences and strategies for coping. Feminism & Psychology 12(2): 261–268. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue