ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Code mixing

Code mixing is when people use more than one language while speaking or writing. Just like how we sometimes mix up our clothes while putting them on, sometimes we mix up our languages too! When we talk to our friends, family or colleagues, we may end up using words from different languages that we know. For instance, if we are speaking English, we may use a word from Spanish, Hindi, or any other language that we are familiar with.

Code mixing is like playing with different colored building blocks to create something new and exciting. It helps people express themselves better, especially when they lack the appropriate words to describe things. Code mixing can also help people identify with different cultures and communities. It helps people to adapt and communicate better in multicultural settings.

For example, if you speak Spanish and English, you might say "Hola, ¿cómo estás?" (meaning "Hello, how are you?" in Spanish) to a friend, but then continue the conversation in English. That’s code mixing, using two languages together!

Code mixing is practiced by people all over the world, and it’s a common occurrence in multilingual countries where people use multiple languages interchangeably. So, the next time you hear someone speak in different languages, you know they're code mixing, and you might even try it yourself!