Use and perception of the pronominal trio vos , tú , usted in a Nicaraguan community in Miami, Florida*
-
Karen López Alonzo
Abstract
This study investigates how, in a context of dialect contact and possible shift, members of the Nicaraguan community in Miami use and talk about the 2sg pronominal trio vos, tú, usted. Through observations, a questionnaire, and audio recordings of interactions and interviews, this paper explores the patterns of personal pronoun choice, their frequency, their contexts, interlocutors’ awareness of the switch between vos and tú, and generational differences. I present evidence of participants indexing a politeness distinction that includes, at times, not two pronouns but all three. Ultimately, what is observed is a dialect leveling that may be rooted, at least partially, in one-on-one accommodation by Nicaraguans to the more unmarked Miami pronominal system of Cuban-Americans.
Abstract
This study investigates how, in a context of dialect contact and possible shift, members of the Nicaraguan community in Miami use and talk about the 2sg pronominal trio vos, tú, usted. Through observations, a questionnaire, and audio recordings of interactions and interviews, this paper explores the patterns of personal pronoun choice, their frequency, their contexts, interlocutors’ awareness of the switch between vos and tú, and generational differences. I present evidence of participants indexing a politeness distinction that includes, at times, not two pronouns but all three. Ultimately, what is observed is a dialect leveling that may be rooted, at least partially, in one-on-one accommodation by Nicaraguans to the more unmarked Miami pronominal system of Cuban-Americans.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgments ix
- Introduction 1
-
Section I: Diachronic change and regional variation
- Voseo and tuteo , the countryside and the city 15
- Pragmatic forces in the evolution of voseo object pronouns from os to te in colonial Spanish 35
- Second person forms of address in New Mexican Spanish, 1687–1936 63
- Sociolinguistic variation and change in Chilean voseo 87
- Forms of address in historical and geographical context 119
-
Section II: Pragmatics and dialect contact
- Pragmatic variation in voseo and tuteo negative commands in Argentinian Spanish 127
- Second person singular forms in Cali Colombian Spanish 149
- ¿De dónde sos? 171
- Use and perception of the pronominal trio vos , tú , usted in a Nicaraguan community in Miami, Florida* 197
- Second person forms in social context 233
-
Section III: Forms of address, attitudes and identity
- The changing system of Costa Rican pronouns of address 243
- Reconceptualizing identity and context in the deployment of forms of address 267
- Making the case for increased prestige of the vernacular 289
- “Fijáte…sabes que le digo yo” 305
- Forms of address and community identity 325
- Conclusion 335
- Index 341
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgments ix
- Introduction 1
-
Section I: Diachronic change and regional variation
- Voseo and tuteo , the countryside and the city 15
- Pragmatic forces in the evolution of voseo object pronouns from os to te in colonial Spanish 35
- Second person forms of address in New Mexican Spanish, 1687–1936 63
- Sociolinguistic variation and change in Chilean voseo 87
- Forms of address in historical and geographical context 119
-
Section II: Pragmatics and dialect contact
- Pragmatic variation in voseo and tuteo negative commands in Argentinian Spanish 127
- Second person singular forms in Cali Colombian Spanish 149
- ¿De dónde sos? 171
- Use and perception of the pronominal trio vos , tú , usted in a Nicaraguan community in Miami, Florida* 197
- Second person forms in social context 233
-
Section III: Forms of address, attitudes and identity
- The changing system of Costa Rican pronouns of address 243
- Reconceptualizing identity and context in the deployment of forms of address 267
- Making the case for increased prestige of the vernacular 289
- “Fijáte…sabes que le digo yo” 305
- Forms of address and community identity 325
- Conclusion 335
- Index 341
