What does 'code-switching' refer to in linguistics?

Code-switching in linguistics refers to the practice of alternating between two or more languages or language varieties within a conversation or discourse. This can occur at various levels, such as switching between languages in single sentences, phrases, or even contextual shifts based on the conversation's dynamics and the participants' language proficiency. It reflects an individual's linguistic flexibility and the influence of social, cultural, or situational factors on language use.

In contrast, interchanging regional dialects primarily focuses on variations within a single language, rather than blending different languages. Altering pronunciation for clarity deals more with phonological adjustments aimed at making speech understandable without necessarily engaging with multiple languages. Translating words literally pertains to direct word-for-word translation, which can sometimes lead to misunderstanding and does not capture the fluidity and context-dependent nature that characterizes code-switching.