This study examined Japanese/English code-switching in three different contexts: a bilingual radio program broadcast in Japan; language of two bilingual siblings; and an adult bilingual dinner party. Particular attention was paid to the situational meanings of code-switching and to politeness issues. Code-switching was examined first at four levels (intra-sentential, inter-sentential, tag-switching, and general discourse), and then further analyzed by function (quotation, facility of recall, directive, solidarity, phatic, metalinguistic, poetic, change of topic). Results support one interpretation of code-switching, that there is an interaction of situations and metaphorical meanings intended by interlocutors that render the code-switching meaningful. Analysis further suggests that code-switching is deliberately and strategically used as an effective communication tool by bilinguals irrespective of their ages or linguistic preferences. Excerpts from the discourse analyzed are appended. (Contains 19 references.) (MSE)