Sociolinguistic variation in Chilean Spanish: sensitivity to subtle sociophonetic traits in child language development
Document Type
Paper Presentation
Presenter Language
English
Research Area
Developmental sociolinguistics
Location
MBSC Dodge Room 302
Start Date
18-10-2024 2:30 PM
End Date
18-10-2024 3:00 PM
Abstract
Previous studies show that the acquisition of sociolinguistic variation begins early in our lives. The process is mainly characterized by a strong correlation between the linguistic production of children and their main caregivers; and interestingly, that usage patterns depend on the type of variable under analysis in which both, linguistic and social factors are involved (Foulkes et al., 2005; Miller, 2013; Roberts 1994; Smith et al., 2007, 2009).
This study aims to analyze the acquisition and use of two of the most salient variable sociophonetic traits in Chilean Spanish: allophonic variation of /tʃ/ phoneme, and variable production of /tɾ/ consonant cluster. This is of relevance as: (a) it allows us to look at the acquisition of variation, considering fine-grained phonological details, (b) to explore potential language change-in-progress, and (c) according to our knowledge, there are no previous studies looking at how children acquire those variables, and how adults use them in child-directed speech (CDS).
Six child-mother dyads (ages 5;9-6;6) were audio-recorded in their houses over 4-5 one-hour sessions while they were interacting alone (i.e., playing, doing homework, preparing meals, etc.), using lavalier microphones. In order to compare usage patterns, we also recorded those mothers interacting with another adult (ADS). Each token was identified and manually delimited on Praat by native speakers of Chilean Spanish, while subsegmental acoustic measures were performed automatically using a Praat script. A total of 1,250 occurrences were analyzed and coded by linguistic and extralinguistic factors.
Our results reveal similar usage patterns between children and their mothers, in line with previous studies. Furthermore, this correlation is seen even at a subsegmental level, showing that children are sensitive to, and able to produce, very subtle sociophonetic traits. We did not find an effect for sex of the child speaking or being spoken to, but we found a geographic origin/residence effect: stereotypically stigmatized variants are produced by participants from rural areas; although, mother’s production is accommodated in CDS (cf. production in ADS). Finally, participants from urban areas produce variants that, at a subsegmental level, are closer to the prestigious ones, suggesting possible change in progress.
Sociolinguistic variation in Chilean Spanish: sensitivity to subtle sociophonetic traits in child language development
MBSC Dodge Room 302
Previous studies show that the acquisition of sociolinguistic variation begins early in our lives. The process is mainly characterized by a strong correlation between the linguistic production of children and their main caregivers; and interestingly, that usage patterns depend on the type of variable under analysis in which both, linguistic and social factors are involved (Foulkes et al., 2005; Miller, 2013; Roberts 1994; Smith et al., 2007, 2009).
This study aims to analyze the acquisition and use of two of the most salient variable sociophonetic traits in Chilean Spanish: allophonic variation of /tʃ/ phoneme, and variable production of /tɾ/ consonant cluster. This is of relevance as: (a) it allows us to look at the acquisition of variation, considering fine-grained phonological details, (b) to explore potential language change-in-progress, and (c) according to our knowledge, there are no previous studies looking at how children acquire those variables, and how adults use them in child-directed speech (CDS).
Six child-mother dyads (ages 5;9-6;6) were audio-recorded in their houses over 4-5 one-hour sessions while they were interacting alone (i.e., playing, doing homework, preparing meals, etc.), using lavalier microphones. In order to compare usage patterns, we also recorded those mothers interacting with another adult (ADS). Each token was identified and manually delimited on Praat by native speakers of Chilean Spanish, while subsegmental acoustic measures were performed automatically using a Praat script. A total of 1,250 occurrences were analyzed and coded by linguistic and extralinguistic factors.
Our results reveal similar usage patterns between children and their mothers, in line with previous studies. Furthermore, this correlation is seen even at a subsegmental level, showing that children are sensitive to, and able to produce, very subtle sociophonetic traits. We did not find an effect for sex of the child speaking or being spoken to, but we found a geographic origin/residence effect: stereotypically stigmatized variants are produced by participants from rural areas; although, mother’s production is accommodated in CDS (cf. production in ADS). Finally, participants from urban areas produce variants that, at a subsegmental level, are closer to the prestigious ones, suggesting possible change in progress.