Hong Kong Cantonese TV talk shows When code-switching manifests as impoliteness

This study examines how impoliteness is carried out through code-switching in the Hong Kong Cantonese television talk show Sze U Tonight. Hong Kong is a modern and globalised Chinese society with a colonial background and is currently part of China. This unique combination makes the norms that govern code-switching and impoliteness in talk shows worth exploring. It is interesting to examine how the Hong Kong people express themselves through their language choices, especially when this is put in the media for public viewing, situated in the context of semi-institutional conversations on a Hong Kong television talk show. Using Spencer-Oatey's (2002, 2008) rapport management framework, this paper discusses the forms and functions of code-switching that manifest as impoliteness in the media of a multilingual Chinese society.

Automated summary

This study examines how impoliteness is expressed through code-switching in the Hong Kong Cantonese television talk show Sze U Tonight. It explores the norms governing code-switching and impoliteness in the context of semi-institutional conversations on a Hong Kong television talk show, taking into account the unique combination of Hong Kong's colonial background and its current status as part of China. Using Spencer-Oatey's rapport management framework, this paper discusses the forms and functions of code-switching that manifest as impoliteness in the media of a multilingual Chinese society.