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Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach
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Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach

A special issue of Languages (ISSN 2226-471X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2024) | Viewed by 20938

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alberto Pastor

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of World Languages and Literatures, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
Interests: Spanish syntax; Spanish in the US; language contact; bilingualism; language ideologies; language attitudes; linguistic landscapes; heritage language pedagogy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on Spanish in the United States of America. The goal of the present issue is to expand our understanding of current social and sociolinguistic trends and factors affecting the vitality of Spanish varieties and the life of Spanish-speaking communities in the US. Scholars from different disciplines, primarily linguistics, sociology, anthropology, and education, are invited to address key topics related to the future of Spanish and Spanish-speaking communities in the US. This Special Issue includes but is not limited to the following topics: bilingualism/multilingualism; language contact and change; formal aspects of US Spanish; language maintenance; shift and loss; language ideologies and language attitudes; educational policies and practices; translanguaging; heritage language acquisition; heritage language learning and teaching; third-generation heritage Spanish; language and identity; raciolinguistics; language in politics and politics of language; language and the law; language planning; language policy; language rights; linguistic anthropology; linguistic variation;linguistic landscapes; mass media and Spanish; Spanish in the professions; and Spanish and the economy. We welcome multidisciplinary, multimethod, and collaborative cutting-edge scholarship.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of between 400–600 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the guest editor ([email protected]). Abstracts will be reviewed by the guest editors for the purpose of ensuring the paper fits within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer-review.

Tentative Completion Schedule

  • Abstract Submission Deadline: September 15th, 2023
  • Notification of Abstract Acceptance: October 15th, 2023
  • Full Manuscript Deadline: February 15th, 2024

Dr. Alberto Pastor
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Languages is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • language contact
  • bilingualism
  • linguistic variation
  • language ideologies
  • language attitudes
  • language identity
  • language maintenance/shift/loss
  • bilingual education
  • heritage language
  • language policy and planning
  • linguistic anthropology

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 367 KiB  
Article
The SEC Spanish Consortium: Foundations for Linguistic Gratuity and Language Documentation Among Latinx Populations in New Destination Communities of the U.S. South
by Stephen Fafulas, Chad Howe, Rafael Orozco, Alicia Cipria, Erin O’Rourke, Nina Moreno and Matthew J. Van Hoose
Languages 2024, 9(11), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9110354 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 781
Abstract
Latinx populations in the USA have grown steadily in recent decades, with significant increases taking place in “new destination communities” of the U.S. South. The focus of our paper is to highlight opportunities for working with these populations, including traditional sociolinguistic ethnographies and [...] Read more.
Latinx populations in the USA have grown steadily in recent decades, with significant increases taking place in “new destination communities” of the U.S. South. The focus of our paper is to highlight opportunities for working with these populations, including traditional sociolinguistic ethnographies and community-engaged research. We highlight an initiative named “The SEC Spanish Consortium” which is an interinstitutional collaboration centered on scholarship and service involving Latinx populations in new destination communities of the U.S. South. We show that ongoing and future scholarly work in the U.S. South can act as a mechanism for documenting these emerging Latinx communities while simultaneously serving the underrepresented and minority speakers of these linguistic varieties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
31 pages, 6859 KiB  
Article
Multimodal Analysis of the Spanish Linguistic Landscape in Alabama
by Alicia Cipria and Erin O’Rourke
Languages 2024, 9(8), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9080264 - 30 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1838
Abstract
The study of linguistic landscapes (LL) examines the use of signage in public spaces, often with a focus on the use of non-majority languages. The main goals of this project are to map, quantify, and analyze signage in Spanish within Tuscaloosa County, AL, [...] Read more.
The study of linguistic landscapes (LL) examines the use of signage in public spaces, often with a focus on the use of non-majority languages. The main goals of this project are to map, quantify, and analyze signage in Spanish within Tuscaloosa County, AL, an emerging site of Spanish language use which differs from the large urban places often studied in the LL literature. Photographs of public signage in Spanish were taken and uploaded to an ArcGIS Field Maps app to allow for both geolocation of the image and tagging of the image for specific linguistic and visual characteristics, which are subsumed under multimodality. Multimodality refers to the interaction of the linguistic code with other modes of communication such as images, colors, flags, and other cultural objects to make meaning in a given LL text. Within the multimodality framework, we examine the use of Spanish by itself or with English, location of the signage, communicative functions (symbolic, informative), and the combination of multimodal resources to index the actors originating the text and their intended audience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
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30 pages, 3680 KiB  
Article
Language Attitudes in a Historic Latino Community: The Case of Spanish in Northwest Indiana
by Eva Mendieta
Languages 2024, 9(8), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9080263 - 30 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Despite the burgeoning Latino population in the Midwest, research on language attitudes in this region remains sparse. This study addresses this gap by examining language attitudes and beliefs towards Spanish in the Northwest Indiana region, one of the oldest Latino immigration gateways in [...] Read more.
Despite the burgeoning Latino population in the Midwest, research on language attitudes in this region remains sparse. This study addresses this gap by examining language attitudes and beliefs towards Spanish in the Northwest Indiana region, one of the oldest Latino immigration gateways in the Midwest. Data collected from a 2018–2019 sociolinguistic survey, involving 236 participants representative of the local Latino community, form the basis of the analysis. The study aims to elucidate attitudes towards various Spanish dialects, particularly the local variety. Findings indicate widespread acceptance of the local Spanish variety, with participants viewing its divergence from Mexican or Puerto Rican Spanish as normal and inevitable. Despite perceptions of linguistic mixing with English, the community’s Spanish is valued as an effective communication tool and cultural asset, including in educational settings. This positive attitude towards a stigmatized linguistic variety suggests a preference for any form of Spanish over none, particularly in situations of low Spanish language maintenance. The study of language attitudes shows that speakers will tend to reproduce in their speech new ways of speaking that they find acceptable. This generalized behavior, in turn, leads toward linguistic change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
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16 pages, 403 KiB  
Article
The Evolving Landscape of Spanish Language Representation in U.S. Media: From Overt to Covert Discrimination
by Grace A. Parker, Maia Botek and Diego Pascual y Cabo
Languages 2024, 9(6), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9060220 - 17 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1525
Abstract
Despite the continuously expanding presence of Spanish-speaking communities in the United States, media representation of the Spanish language and that of its speakers has remained relatively scarce. At present, however, a growing interest in reaching and cashing in on this influential consumer group [...] Read more.
Despite the continuously expanding presence of Spanish-speaking communities in the United States, media representation of the Spanish language and that of its speakers has remained relatively scarce. At present, however, a growing interest in reaching and cashing in on this influential consumer group is forcing significant changes in the mass media communication landscape. Not only are an increasing number of movies and TV shows working with more diverse casts (ethnically, culturally, linguistically, etc.), but there also seems to be a heightened presence of Latinx characters in leading or supporting roles. This tendency, however, does not necessarily mean that mainstream media is becoming more inclusive and less anglocentric. In fact, a careful look at the storylines of individuals who are perceived to be Spanish speakers will reveal that they mostly portray stereotypical roles and behaviors. When their stories are told, they are all too often infused with unwarranted messages that portray Latinxs as lazy, unskilled, unintelligible in speech, hypersexual, or simply too ‘foreign’ to fit in. Whether overtly or covertly expressed, the negative impact of these persistent transgressions has the potential to shape real-world ideologies, attitudes, and prejudices. This paper adopts a critical raciolinguistic perspective, which underscores the co-naturalization of language and race, to highlight the role of media in reinforcing discrimination against the Spanish language and its speakers. In our analysis of six recently popularized TV shows (i.e., East Los High, Family Guy, Gentefied, Jane the Virgin, One Day at a Time, and That ‘70s Show), we examine the perpetuation of racialized stereotypes toward Latinx characters’ linguistic practices with regard to (i) the environment in which they exist, (ii) their mannerisms, (iii) speech patterns, and (iv) interactions with other characters. We demonstrate how these shows’ blending of seemingly harmless linguistic ideologies with stereotypical and sensationalized representations grounded in colonial hierarchies reproduces hegemonic interests, perpetuates social inequalities, and places racialized Spanish speakers at a disadvantage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
15 pages, 1729 KiB  
Article
Shift Still Happens: Spanish Language Maintenance in the Face of Growth and Change in the Western United States
by Devin L. Jenkins
Languages 2024, 9(6), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9060205 - 2 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2406
Abstract
The recent release of 2020 U.S. Census data reflects the continued growth of the Hispanic/Latino population over the last four decades. The Hispanic/Latino population has increased by a factor of 3.25 since 1980, with nearly one in five inhabitants of the United States [...] Read more.
The recent release of 2020 U.S. Census data reflects the continued growth of the Hispanic/Latino population over the last four decades. The Hispanic/Latino population has increased by a factor of 3.25 since 1980, with nearly one in five inhabitants of the United States identifying as Hispanic or Latino. With these demographic changes, language maintenance figures have shown significant change as well. In every state, a language shift is evident, as all of the western states have lower measures of Spanish language maintenance among the Hispanic population than they did a generation ago. So, while Spanish language use is growing with regard to overall numbers in most of the Western United States, language shift is still a reality among the Latino population. Social variables such as education, income, and employment also show a different relationship with the Spanish language than they did 40 years ago. While there were strong negative correlations between Spanish language use and these variables in the previous generation, many (but not all) of these correlations have weakened, many to the point of no statistical significance in the data from 2020. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
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15 pages, 5599 KiB  
Article
Ecuadorians in NYC: Language and Cultural Practices of a Community in the Diaspora
by Christian Puma Ninacuri and Patricia Gubitosi
Languages 2024, 9(6), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9060193 - 23 May 2024
Viewed by 905
Abstract
Given that Ecuadorians are one of the largest groups of Hispanics living in New York, they have become a tight community that they now call little Ecuador. Although Ecuadorians living in the diaspora in NYC come from different parts of the country (mostly [...] Read more.
Given that Ecuadorians are one of the largest groups of Hispanics living in New York, they have become a tight community that they now call little Ecuador. Although Ecuadorians living in the diaspora in NYC come from different parts of the country (mostly from the Andean region), they share the same cultural practices they performed in Ecuador that give them the sense of being in their country without bearing the instability and turmoil their country experiences. This shows how the group has fostered a sense of a multifaceted, multidimensional simultaneity between the host country and the motherland. The goal of this paper is to analyze the strategies Ecuadorian migrants use to validate their language and cultural practices to negotiate their identity as a group. Data for this paper come from ethnographic observations, semi-spontaneous conversations, oral interviews with members of the group, along with pictures taken while walking the community and participating in some of their events. Our study reveals that participants hold varying perceptions regarding their linguistic and cultural practices. However, it is noteworthy that they recognize these practices as a manifestation of Ecuadorianness, signifying a sense of solidarity among community members. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
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22 pages, 430 KiB  
Article
Racialized Sociolinguistic Processes in the Spanish Learning Journeys of Non-Latinxs in the U.S.
by Jazmine Exford
Languages 2024, 9(6), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9060192 - 23 May 2024
Viewed by 1137
Abstract
Sociolinguistic frameworks of race have not been widely applied to non-Latinx Spanish learners in the United States. Consequently, there is limited insight into the impact of race on different learners’ use of Spanish in their communities, including the local or national raciolinguistic dynamics [...] Read more.
Sociolinguistic frameworks of race have not been widely applied to non-Latinx Spanish learners in the United States. Consequently, there is limited insight into the impact of race on different learners’ use of Spanish in their communities, including the local or national raciolinguistic dynamics between Latinxs and non-Latinxs that inform these outcomes. This article examines ethnographic interviews of women recounting interactions and experiences of using Spanish in different U.S. contexts. In their accounts, I identify three racialized sociolinguistic processes central to their Spanish learning journeys, which I title racialized positionality, racialized embodiment, and indexical fields of racialization. These processes highlight, respectively, (1) the raciolinguistic dynamics enacted by Spanish language usage in the U.S. by non-Latinxs, (2) the sociolinguistic input a learner comes across as raciogendered subjects, and (3) the social meaning they ascribe to racialized terms and discourses in Spanish. As critical approaches to Spanish language learning and pedagogy continue to emerge, more research is warranted on these three processes to trace the impact of race on Spanish language learning and use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
15 pages, 1139 KiB  
Article
Radio-Lect: Spanish/English Code-Switching in On-Air Advertisements
by Roshawnda A. Derrick
Languages 2024, 9(5), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9050156 - 24 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1414
Abstract
The 2020 census reports that 61.2 million Latinxs live in the US, totaling around 19% of all residents, forming the country’s largest minority population. With the growing number of Latinxs, there has been a higher level of contact between Spanish and English leading [...] Read more.
The 2020 census reports that 61.2 million Latinxs live in the US, totaling around 19% of all residents, forming the country’s largest minority population. With the growing number of Latinxs, there has been a higher level of contact between Spanish and English leading to language mixing or code-switching (CS) in mainstream American culture. This paper examines the Spanish/English CS in radio advertisements on Los Angeles’s 96.3 La Mega, a bilingual radio station geared towards today’s youth. Using Derrick’ 2015 sentential framework for the linguistic analysis of multilingual sentences, I carry out a sentence-by-sentence analysis of the linguistic nature of the on-air bilingual advertisements. I explore both national advertisements, as well as DJ-endorsed advertisements, to discern whether they follow the patterns previously pointed out in the literature for positive consumer evaluations of Spanish/English bilingual advertisements. Furthermore, I am interested in if these advertisements are in line with the ethos of 96.3 La Mega, which prides itself on being fully bilingual. This research will shed light on the linguistic nature of contemporary strategies being used in bilingual advertisements for the US Latinx community and marketing tactics designed to encourage their consumerism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
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14 pages, 3458 KiB  
Article
Bilingual Texting in the Age of Emoji: Spanish–English Code-Switching in SMS
by Cecilia Montes-Alcalá
Languages 2024, 9(4), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9040144 - 15 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3249
Abstract
Technology and computer-mediated communication (CMC) have quickly transformed the means of interaction among monolingual and bilingual individuals alike, especially in the younger generations. While e-mail once replaced traditional “snail mail”, today’s youth networks mainly via social media and short message services (SMS). Digital [...] Read more.
Technology and computer-mediated communication (CMC) have quickly transformed the means of interaction among monolingual and bilingual individuals alike, especially in the younger generations. While e-mail once replaced traditional “snail mail”, today’s youth networks mainly via social media and short message services (SMS). Digital communication has thus become a fertile ground for sociolinguistic research. The present study aims to contribute to the field of “electronic” code-switching, specifically in the emerging area of text messaging. To this end, I analyze The Bilingual Youth Texts Corpus, a collection of text messages among urban emergent Spanish–English bilinguals in New York City. The main findings indicate that (1) although it is not the most common practice, participants do engage in code-switching when texting each other; (2) their language mixing obeys most of the socio-pragmatic and communicative patterns attested in oral production (such as emphasis, elaboration, lexical need and, especially, tag switches) along with other functions (textisms) which are idiosyncratic to CMC; and (3) the language choices made by these bilinguals reveal a linguistic and a cultural belonging to two worlds where they may and must use both languages to fully express themselves online just like in real life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
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24 pages, 1711 KiB  
Article
“Dime con Quién Andas y te Diré Qué Piensas Sobre el Español de los US”: Language Attitudes and Motivation to Learn Spanish as a Heritage Language through the Lens of Social Networks
by Marina Cuartero Marco
Languages 2024, 9(4), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9040140 - 12 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1357
Abstract
This study explores the motivation and attitudes of heritage speakers (HSs) of Spanish, focusing on the influence of their social networks. Previous research highlighted variations in HS motivation, attributed to social, cultural, and contextual factors. The study investigates how HS communities shape motivation [...] Read more.
This study explores the motivation and attitudes of heritage speakers (HSs) of Spanish, focusing on the influence of their social networks. Previous research highlighted variations in HS motivation, attributed to social, cultural, and contextual factors. The study investigates how HS communities shape motivation and attitudes towards learning the heritage language (HL). Employing personal network analysis, the research surveyed 26 Spanish HSs in a Spanish heritage language program. Results revealed that HS networks primarily consisted of emotionally close family members. Positive and negative factors within these networks, such as language support, confidence, shame, and expectations, significantly influenced HS motivation and attitudes. Language attitudes within the network positively impacted individual attitudes, indicating a process of internalizing shared values. The study emphasizes the importance of considering the context surrounding HSs and suggests that addressing language expectations and fostering language support in communities may positively transform perceptions of Spanish in the United States. The findings underscore the effectiveness of a personal network approach in recreating the external environment beyond the language classroom. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
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20 pages, 5617 KiB  
Article
From Bilingualism to Multilingualism: Mapping Language Dynamics in the Linguistic Landscape of Hispanic Philadelphia
by Daniel Guarín
Languages 2024, 9(4), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9040123 - 1 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1934
Abstract
This study explores the linguistic landscape (LL) of three Hispanic neighborhoods in Philadelphia, PA, aiming to document and measure the presence of the Spanish language in public spaces and understand the influence of time, location, and establishment type on language use. [...] Read more.
This study explores the linguistic landscape (LL) of three Hispanic neighborhoods in Philadelphia, PA, aiming to document and measure the presence of the Spanish language in public spaces and understand the influence of time, location, and establishment type on language use. Based on 3437 signs analyzed from 2021 to 2023, our findings reveal that English dominates the LL at 61.65%, while Spanish constitutes 24.16%. The study employs chi-squared tests to confirm the impact of time and location on language use, highlighting a rise in bilingual and monolingual Spanish signs over time. Additionally, variables were combined into clusters using a heatmap to explore language use across different establishments. Bilingualism emerges as a sustained trend, underscoring inclusivity and linguistic diversity within these contexts. Location analysis exposes unique linguistic characteristics in each neighborhood, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of their communities. The Golden Block exhibits bilingual prevalence, indicative of evolving demographics. Olney showcases language mixtures due to diverse ethnic and sociolinguistic influences, while South Philadelphia’s Italian Market area features prevalent Spanish and multilingual signage. The study underscores the growing presence of Spanish and minority languages, emphasizing the need to recognize and revitalize linguistic diversity in urban spaces. As cities evolve, continued exploration of the LL is crucial to understanding language dynamics in relation to identity, culture, and power. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach)
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