Many languages coexist with each other and one another in bilingual and multilingual countries, respectively. In the process of language use, speakers may mix codes or switch codes of languages generally referred to as code mixing or code switching, respectively. Code switching is used in linguistics to refer to the use of more than one language or variety in conversation. Code switching sometimes called code mixing is observed in Burkina Faso, a multilingual country where about 60 local languages coexist with the official language, French, along with foreign languages, English, Germain, Spanish, and Arabic. The influence of French over local languages, namely Mooré is remarkable. With that in mind, the current seeks to investigate why many loan words from French are impinging upon Mooré. In addition, this research aims at investigating whether the overuse of loan words from French will not affect the cultural values of Mooré since a language is viewed as the embodiment of one’s identity. The data used in this study were taken from two sources. The first area involved speeches of journalists in Moore from two different local radios, including OMEGA and Savane FM. The findings show that about 20% of French words are used in these local radios. The second source concerned commonly used object and fruits. Most of the words identified are loan words from French incorporated in Moore. These findings reveal that over mixing languages in conversation can affect the language in its essence and thus leading to the lost cultural value and identity (Gumperz and Hernander (1972), Thomas (2001), and Wiltz (2020). However, the results also show that code mixing is indispensable in contexts where many languages coexist and influence one another (Heller, 2010). Or, could code mixing strengthen the two systems involved, leading to the creation of a new system, the neologism, “franmoore.?”

Key words: Language, code mixing, code switching, loan words, cultural identity