内容简介：
Argues that if the underlying linguistic competence of code switchers -- people who switch back and forth between languages, dialects, or levels of formality -- is the same as that of monolinguals for the languages they use, then code switching should not be stigmatized in schools. Also contends that a better understanding of the practice and of bilingualism in general would have a positive impact on educational policy, teaching, and curriculum. The 1998 dissertation for the University of California at Los Angeles has been corrected and slightly revised.