Perception of dialect and attitudes towards Ecuadorian-Spanish speakers in the US
Document Type
Paper Presentation
Presenter Language
English
Research Area
Sociolinguistics
Location
MBSC Gallery Room 308
Start Date
19-10-2024 10:30 AM
End Date
19-10-2024 11:00 AM
Abstract
Recent research on language attitudes and perceptual dialectology has explored the perception of dialectical features of diverse Spanish-speaking communities in the US (Alfaraz, 2014; Carter & Callesano, 2018; Chappell, 2019, 2022). While numerous studies focus on dominant regional populations (Alfaraz, 2018; Callesano & Carter, 2019), few have explored the position of minority Spanish-speaking populations in these communities (Hermosillo, 2018; Potowski & Matts, 2008; Zentella, 1990). Ecuadorians are the 10th-largest Spanish-speaking population in the US (Pew Research Center, 2019), but outside of select metropolitan centers like New York and Miami, most reside in places where they are the minority and interact more with Spanish speakers from other dialects. This makes them an ideal group for exploring minority language attitudes in the context of Spanish in the US.
This study examines the negotiation of dialect identity and the perception of dialect visibility among minority populations of Ecuadorian Spanish-speakers living in the US, more specifically, in Denver, Colorado and Saint Louis, Missouri. Given that language use and expression of identity are inseparable (Abrams et al., 2003; Tabouret-Keller, 2017), and identities can and do change through interactions with others (Tanno, 1994), we investigate the perception of dialect and identity among US-based Ecuadorians through their regular interactions with mixed-origin Spanish speakers in their communities.
Online surveys and interviews reveal a perception that non-Ecuadorian Spanish speakers in the US have a difficult time “locating” varieties of Ecuadorian Spanish, often confusing their dialect with those of other countries or ascribing “non-distinctive” values. These perceptions contribute to feelings of dialect invisibility and insecurity among US-based Ecuadorians. Furthermore, when certain regional varieties are used (i.e. dame pasando “pass me”, used in the Andean region), other speakers accuse them of “inventing” non-Spanish forms. This has compelled US-based Ecuadorians to suppress their own dialectal features when communicating with others in their communities.
The results of a pilot study on attitudes of Ecuadorians living in the U.S. towards Andean and Costeño Ecuadorian Spanish varieties suggest: 1) a shift in the attitudes of the Costeño participants towards Andean Spanish, and 2) the possible emergence of Andean Spanish as the prestigious variety among the participants, which is in line with Flores Mejía's (2014) results from Ecuador. The participants evaluated, using a semantic differential and a 7-point Likert scale, six 9-10 seconds recordings of Ecuadorians (serranos and costeños) talking about food. Participants evaluated Andean Spanish more positively than Costeño, and both considered Costeño Spanish as more solidary.
Perception of dialect and attitudes towards Ecuadorian-Spanish speakers in the US
MBSC Gallery Room 308
Recent research on language attitudes and perceptual dialectology has explored the perception of dialectical features of diverse Spanish-speaking communities in the US (Alfaraz, 2014; Carter & Callesano, 2018; Chappell, 2019, 2022). While numerous studies focus on dominant regional populations (Alfaraz, 2018; Callesano & Carter, 2019), few have explored the position of minority Spanish-speaking populations in these communities (Hermosillo, 2018; Potowski & Matts, 2008; Zentella, 1990). Ecuadorians are the 10th-largest Spanish-speaking population in the US (Pew Research Center, 2019), but outside of select metropolitan centers like New York and Miami, most reside in places where they are the minority and interact more with Spanish speakers from other dialects. This makes them an ideal group for exploring minority language attitudes in the context of Spanish in the US.
This study examines the negotiation of dialect identity and the perception of dialect visibility among minority populations of Ecuadorian Spanish-speakers living in the US, more specifically, in Denver, Colorado and Saint Louis, Missouri. Given that language use and expression of identity are inseparable (Abrams et al., 2003; Tabouret-Keller, 2017), and identities can and do change through interactions with others (Tanno, 1994), we investigate the perception of dialect and identity among US-based Ecuadorians through their regular interactions with mixed-origin Spanish speakers in their communities.
Online surveys and interviews reveal a perception that non-Ecuadorian Spanish speakers in the US have a difficult time “locating” varieties of Ecuadorian Spanish, often confusing their dialect with those of other countries or ascribing “non-distinctive” values. These perceptions contribute to feelings of dialect invisibility and insecurity among US-based Ecuadorians. Furthermore, when certain regional varieties are used (i.e. dame pasando “pass me”, used in the Andean region), other speakers accuse them of “inventing” non-Spanish forms. This has compelled US-based Ecuadorians to suppress their own dialectal features when communicating with others in their communities.
The results of a pilot study on attitudes of Ecuadorians living in the U.S. towards Andean and Costeño Ecuadorian Spanish varieties suggest: 1) a shift in the attitudes of the Costeño participants towards Andean Spanish, and 2) the possible emergence of Andean Spanish as the prestigious variety among the participants, which is in line with Flores Mejía's (2014) results from Ecuador. The participants evaluated, using a semantic differential and a 7-point Likert scale, six 9-10 seconds recordings of Ecuadorians (serranos and costeños) talking about food. Participants evaluated Andean Spanish more positively than Costeño, and both considered Costeño Spanish as more solidary.