Subject pronoun expression in Equatoguinean Spanish
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Lillie Padilla
Abstract
This chapter delves into a relatively unexplored linguistic research area: subject pronoun expression (SPE) in Equatorial Guinea. While much research has been conducted on SPE in various Spanish-speaking regions, Equatorial Guinea remains a unique and underrepresented context. This research is especially significant due to the distinctive linguistic and sociopolitical factors at play in the country. The chapter’s primary objectives are twofold. Firstly, it offers a comprehensive overview of research on subject pronoun expression, specifically on Equatoguinean Spanish. The study analyzes and compares SPE patterns among Fang-Spanish speakers, representing the majority ethnic group, and Bubi-Spanish speakers, a minority group whose language is at risk of extinction. Despite both languages belonging to the Bantu Niger-Congo language group, the speech communities exhibit different levels of political dominance in Equatorial Guinea, influencing the dynamics of language contact with Spanish. The research draws from sociolinguistic interviews with 30 Equatoguinean Spanish speakers in Malabo. Using Rbrul software, the analysis considers various linguistic predictors, including ambiguous verb forms, reflexivity, reference, verb type, and the lexical effect of the verb. The findings reveal notable differences in SPE rates and significant predictors between the two groups, shedding light on how bilingualism impacts SPE in this unique context. Secondly, the chapter addresses the methodological challenges of conducting research in Equatorial Guinea, emphasizing the need to consider the socio-political climate and cultural norms when working with marginalized groups. The study underscores the complexities of adapting traditional sociolinguistic methodologies to countries like Equatorial Guinea, where fragile socio-political climates demand sensitivity and caution in data collection. This research contributes to understanding bilingualism’s influence on SPE in Equatorial Guinea while highlighting the methodological challenges inherent in studying linguistics within such contexts.
Abstract
This chapter delves into a relatively unexplored linguistic research area: subject pronoun expression (SPE) in Equatorial Guinea. While much research has been conducted on SPE in various Spanish-speaking regions, Equatorial Guinea remains a unique and underrepresented context. This research is especially significant due to the distinctive linguistic and sociopolitical factors at play in the country. The chapter’s primary objectives are twofold. Firstly, it offers a comprehensive overview of research on subject pronoun expression, specifically on Equatoguinean Spanish. The study analyzes and compares SPE patterns among Fang-Spanish speakers, representing the majority ethnic group, and Bubi-Spanish speakers, a minority group whose language is at risk of extinction. Despite both languages belonging to the Bantu Niger-Congo language group, the speech communities exhibit different levels of political dominance in Equatorial Guinea, influencing the dynamics of language contact with Spanish. The research draws from sociolinguistic interviews with 30 Equatoguinean Spanish speakers in Malabo. Using Rbrul software, the analysis considers various linguistic predictors, including ambiguous verb forms, reflexivity, reference, verb type, and the lexical effect of the verb. The findings reveal notable differences in SPE rates and significant predictors between the two groups, shedding light on how bilingualism impacts SPE in this unique context. Secondly, the chapter addresses the methodological challenges of conducting research in Equatorial Guinea, emphasizing the need to consider the socio-political climate and cultural norms when working with marginalized groups. The study underscores the complexities of adapting traditional sociolinguistic methodologies to countries like Equatorial Guinea, where fragile socio-political climates demand sensitivity and caution in data collection. This research contributes to understanding bilingualism’s influence on SPE in Equatorial Guinea while highlighting the methodological challenges inherent in studying linguistics within such contexts.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Afro-Hispanic linguistics. Challenges, misrepresentations, and assumptions 1
- An overview of recent research on the sociolinguistic role of Luso-Africans, ladino Africans, and criollos of African descent in the early colonial Spanish Americas 17
- Methodological choices and personal responsibility of researchers 133
- Afro-Puerto Rican Spanish declarative intonation 163
- San Andrean Spanish stylistic variation in academia 195
- Subject pronoun expression in Equatoguinean Spanish 225
- Issues of Spanish language maintenance among the Equatorial Guinean community in Houston 253
- Towards a social justice framework for marginalized linguistic communities 273
- Index 287
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Afro-Hispanic linguistics. Challenges, misrepresentations, and assumptions 1
- An overview of recent research on the sociolinguistic role of Luso-Africans, ladino Africans, and criollos of African descent in the early colonial Spanish Americas 17
- Methodological choices and personal responsibility of researchers 133
- Afro-Puerto Rican Spanish declarative intonation 163
- San Andrean Spanish stylistic variation in academia 195
- Subject pronoun expression in Equatoguinean Spanish 225
- Issues of Spanish language maintenance among the Equatorial Guinean community in Houston 253
- Towards a social justice framework for marginalized linguistic communities 273
- Index 287
