CODE-MIXING AS DIASPORIC IDENTITY NEGOTIATION IN EVELYN WANG'S DIALOGUES IN EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE AT ALL ONCE

Abstract

The film Everything Everywhere All at Once features instances of code-mixing that reflect the main character’s bilingual experiences and diaspora identity. This study aims to identify the types of code-mixing used by Evelyn Wang, analyse their distribution according to interlocutor, and explain their role in representing diaspora identity. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method, analysing 14 of Evelyn’s dialogues containing code-mixing using the theories of Muysken (2000), Myers-Scotton (1993) and Bhabha (1994). The results indicate that insertion is the most dominant type of code-mixing (50%), followed by alternation (35.7%) and mixed patterns (14.3%), whilst congruent lexicalisation was not found. The distribution of code-mixing was influenced by the conversation partner, with insertion being more dominant in conversations with Waymond, whilst alternation occurred more frequently in conversations with Joy in emotionally charged situations. This study also demonstrates that code-mixing functions not only as a communication strategy, but also as a means for Evelyn to negotiate her diasporic identity as a Chinese-American woman through the use of English, Mandarin and Cantonese in different interactional contexts.