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Afro-Peruvian Spanish declarative intonation

Analysis and implications
  • Brianna Butera , Sandro Sessarego and Rajiv Rao
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Hispanic Linguistics
This chapter is in the book Hispanic Linguistics

Abstract

This study offers an analysis of Afro-Peruvian Spanish (APS) declarative intonation. Our findings indicate that this dialect presents intonational features that diverge from other varieties of Spanish. It shows minimal downstepping across utterances and a predominant use of the L+H* pitch accent, even in prenuclear position, where L+>H* is more commonly cited in neutral contexts. At intermediate phrase edges, the most common APS boundary tone is L- rather than H-, which is usually employed in other varieties to indicate the continuation of a thought. Our results evidence a simplified set of phonological targets, which are analyzed as the byproduct of SLA processes that were subsequently conventionalized and nativized at the community level by later generations of APS speakers.

Abstract

This study offers an analysis of Afro-Peruvian Spanish (APS) declarative intonation. Our findings indicate that this dialect presents intonational features that diverge from other varieties of Spanish. It shows minimal downstepping across utterances and a predominant use of the L+H* pitch accent, even in prenuclear position, where L+>H* is more commonly cited in neutral contexts. At intermediate phrase edges, the most common APS boundary tone is L- rather than H-, which is usually employed in other varieties to indicate the continuation of a thought. Our results evidence a simplified set of phonological targets, which are analyzed as the byproduct of SLA processes that were subsequently conventionalized and nativized at the community level by later generations of APS speakers.

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