English–Persian Code-Switching in Social Media Communication: A Descriptive Sociolinguistic Study of Adolescents and Young Adults in Golestan Province, Iran

The rapid expansion of social media has transformed communication patterns across the world, creating new opportunities for multilingual interaction and linguistic innovation. Among Persian-speaking youth, one of the most noticeable linguistic phenomena emerging in digital communication is English–Persian code-switching, which refers to the incorporation of English lexical items, phrases, or expressions into Persian discourse. This study investigates the prevalence of English–Persian code-switching among adolescents and young adults in Golestan Province, Iran, and explores the role of social media in shaping this linguistic behavior. Data were collected through a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to ۴۲ participants residing in Golestan Province. The questionnaire examined demographic characteristics, patterns of social media usage, code-switching behavior, and attitudes toward the use of English vocabulary in Persian communication.The findings indicate that social media platforms, particularly Instagram, play a significant role in exposing users to English-language content. Participants reported varying degrees of English lexical usage in their daily communication, especially in online interactions and peer conversations. Moreover, most respondents expressed positive attitudes toward the use of English words and perceived them as useful for language learning, communication efficiency, and participation in global digital culture. The study contributes to the growing field of digital sociolinguistics by highlighting how online communication environments facilitate language contact and influence linguistic practices among younger generations in Iran.

کلیدواژه ها:

Code-switching ، Social Media ، Digital Communication ، Persian Language ، English Language ، Sociolinguistics ، Adolescents ، Golestan Province