Code-Switching in the IT Communicative Practices as a Basis for Digital-Discourse Formation

The thesis proposes a linguistic and sociolinguistic approach to studying code-switching in digital and IT-discourse. The topic is of special interest due to the fact that nowadays code-switching dominates in a number of professional spheres such as informational technologies, marketing, management and others. It also becomes a basis for the modern generation's discourse and moreover, a necessary tool for establishing contacts and demonstrating community affiliation. This new code exists not only within workplaces but also beyond them, becoming a common digital language. The methodology used for research is the Matrix Language Frame Model by C.Myers-Scotton (1993, 1995). The language units, which are represented by code-switches, are also analyzed in terms of their syntactical, morphological features and pragmatic functions.