Linguistic Capital, Social Stratification, and Code-Switching Practices in Urban Multilingual Communities

This study investigates the relationship between linguistic capital, social stratification, and code-switching practices in urban multilingual communities. Drawing on Bourdieu’s theory of linguistic capital and sociolinguistic perspectives on language hierarchy, the research examines how individuals from different social classes navigate language choice, proficiency, and variation across formal and informal domains. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and surveys from participants representing upper and lower social strata in two urban multilingual settings. The findings reveal that linguistic resources are unevenly distributed across social classes, with upper-class participants demonstrating greater access to prestigious languages and institutional linguistic capital. Code-switching emerged as a strategic practice; for higher social groups, it functioned as a marker of sophistication and symbolic power, while for lower social groups, it served as a mechanism for social mobility and adaptation. The study also identifies patterns of linguistic discrimination in professional and educational contexts, reinforcing existing class-based inequalities. The results highlight how language practices not only reflect social hierarchies but actively contribute to their reproduction. The research underscores the need for inclusive language policies and equitable educational frameworks that recognize linguistic diversity while addressing structural inequalities embedded within multilingual societies.