Wetin dey with these comments? Modeling Sociolinguistic Factors ´
Affecting Code-switching Behavior in Nigerian Online Discussions
Abstract
Multilingual individuals code switch between
languages as a part of a complex communication process. However, most computational
studies have examined only one or a handful
of contextual factors predictive of switching.
Here, we examine Naija-English code switch- ´
ing in a rich contextual environment to understand the social and topical factors eliciting a switch. We introduce a new corpus of
330K articles and accompanying 389K comments labeled for code switching behavior. In
modeling whether a comment will switch, we
show that topic-driven variation, tribal affiliation, emotional valence, and audience design
all play complementary roles in behavior