English/french code switching as a countenance of language interference in Cameroon

Code switching between two languages is a common feature of the speech of bilinguals. It reveals some degree of their competence in both languages. This paper is an attempt to investigate the similarities between the functions of code switching in the language of bilingual students. It is based on the assumption that code switching is partially a conscious strategy to achieve certain goals. The subjects of this paper are students of the Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters of the University of Buea. Based on the author’s observations, a list of functions of the students’ speeches is provided. The results of this study confirm the results of previous studies such as Nwoye (1993) and Camilleri (1995). Code switching serves a communicative function in the speeches of the students in this study who switch from French to English and vice-versa to communicate either with their mates, friends or other users of both languages or one of the languages.