Speaking Across Selves: Code-Switching and the Psychology of Bilingualism

Bilingualism is a complex and multidimensional experience that involves linguistic, psychological, emotional and cultural processes. Through the analysis of theoretical contributions and empirical research, this thesis examines how bilingualism shapes psychological functioning, emotional expression, identity construction and the way individuals relate to their cultural contexts. More specifically, it explores how the use of multiple languages shapes self-construction and influences how individuals interpret their identity and cultural ties. The thesis highlights, through Grosjean’s contributions, how dichotomous definitions of bilingualism have often been insufficient to capture the diversity and complexity of bilingual experience, while proposing more comprehensive models capable of accounting for individual variability and contextual factors. Pavlenko’s work, based on identity and emotional dimensions, demonstrates how self-perception can shift depending on the language used and the emotional meanings associated with each linguistic system. The cultural dimension is explored through Grosjean’s Complementarity Principle and the Bicultural Identity Integration, which focuses on the continuous negotiation and rebalancing of linguistic and cultural resources. Finally, the thesis illustrates code-switching, alternating languages, as a functional and strategic practice, reflecting the constant reshaping of the bilingual individual across flexible and integrated dimensions.