An analysis of code switching used by the characters in Emily in Paris season 5 (2025) series

This study examines the phenomenon of code-switching found in the series Emily in Paris Season 5. The objective of this study is to classify and identify the types of code-switching and their functions in conversations between characters. This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach using content analysis. The data in this study consist of utterances containing code-switching between English, French, Italian, Mandarin found in the dialogues. The results indicate that three types of code-switching were identified as tag switching, inter-sentential switching, and intra-sentential switching. Of these three, tag switching was the most dominant. In addition, this study also identified several functions of code-switching, namely interjection, addressee specification, reiteration, message qualification, quotation, and personalization versus objectification. The most dominant function is interjection, indicating that code-switching is frequently used to express emotions, greetings, and spontaneous expressions in conversation. Overall, the research findings indicate that code-switching in this series not only serves as a linguistic variation but also plays a crucial role in conveying social, emotional, and contextual meanings among the characters. The use of code-switching reflects the multilingual setting as well as the dynamics of social relationships that occur in the characters’ everyday communication.