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Chapter 3. Ethnolinguistic vitality and linguistic landscape

The status of Spanish in Dallas, TX
  • Alberto Pastor
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Linguistic Landscape in the Spanish-speaking World
This chapter is in the book Linguistic Landscape in the Spanish-speaking World

Abstract

Using a quantitative-method approach, a corpus of photos of Linguistic Landscape texts taken in the most densely populated Hispanic neighborhoods in Dallas (Texas) is analyzed in search of indicators that allow us to gauge the ethnolinguistic vitality of Spanish in the region. This research goal is operationalized by studying the relative distribution of Spanish and English in bilingual linguistic landscape texts; the symbolic and informational meanings of each language; the representation of local Spanish varieties, including phenomena related to language contact; and the use or non-use of normative writing conventions. The findings of this study augment our understanding of the impact of existing language ideologies and attitudes towards local varieties of Spanish on the prestige and utility of Spanish.

Abstract

Using a quantitative-method approach, a corpus of photos of Linguistic Landscape texts taken in the most densely populated Hispanic neighborhoods in Dallas (Texas) is analyzed in search of indicators that allow us to gauge the ethnolinguistic vitality of Spanish in the region. This research goal is operationalized by studying the relative distribution of Spanish and English in bilingual linguistic landscape texts; the symbolic and informational meanings of each language; the representation of local Spanish varieties, including phenomena related to language contact; and the use or non-use of normative writing conventions. The findings of this study augment our understanding of the impact of existing language ideologies and attitudes towards local varieties of Spanish on the prestige and utility of Spanish.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. List of contributors ix
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Part I. Linguistic landscape and people’s identities
  7. Chapter 1. Language use and identity negotiation in the linguistic landscape of Chipilo, Mexico 19
  8. Chapter 2. A changing landscape of voseo in Medellín? 45
  9. Chapter 3. Ethnolinguistic vitality and linguistic landscape 73
  10. Chapter 4. Ideologies in the linguistic landscape 105
  11. Part II. Contesting the linguistic landscape of public space
  12. Chapter 5. Urban discourse and civil resistance against gender-based violence in Madrid 135
  13. Chapter 6. Armed conflict and resistance in indigenous Colombia 159
  14. Chapter 7. The Escondido swap meet 183
  15. Chapter 8. The linguistic landscape of the Raval 215
  16. Chapter 9. Reframing the question of correlation between the local linguistic population and urban signage 239
  17. Part III. Language commodification in the linguistic landscape
  18. Chapter 10. Languages to buy and sell 269
  19. Chapter 11. An analysis of how business owners use Valencian and Spanish in the linguistic landscape 293
  20. Chapter 12. Linguistic Landscape in Otavalo 313
  21. Chapter 13. Donde su visión se hace realidad 341
  22. Chapter 14. The act of naming in the Hispanic linguistic landscape of Milan 365
  23. Index 393
https://doi.org/10.1075/ihll.35.03pas

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. List of contributors ix
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Part I. Linguistic landscape and people’s identities
  7. Chapter 1. Language use and identity negotiation in the linguistic landscape of Chipilo, Mexico 19
  8. Chapter 2. A changing landscape of voseo in Medellín? 45
  9. Chapter 3. Ethnolinguistic vitality and linguistic landscape 73
  10. Chapter 4. Ideologies in the linguistic landscape 105
  11. Part II. Contesting the linguistic landscape of public space
  12. Chapter 5. Urban discourse and civil resistance against gender-based violence in Madrid 135
  13. Chapter 6. Armed conflict and resistance in indigenous Colombia 159
  14. Chapter 7. The Escondido swap meet 183
  15. Chapter 8. The linguistic landscape of the Raval 215
  16. Chapter 9. Reframing the question of correlation between the local linguistic population and urban signage 239
  17. Part III. Language commodification in the linguistic landscape
  18. Chapter 10. Languages to buy and sell 269
  19. Chapter 11. An analysis of how business owners use Valencian and Spanish in the linguistic landscape 293
  20. Chapter 12. Linguistic Landscape in Otavalo 313
  21. Chapter 13. Donde su visión se hace realidad 341
  22. Chapter 14. The act of naming in the Hispanic linguistic landscape of Milan 365
  23. Index 393
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