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Guarín, D. (2024). From Bilingualism to Multilingualism: Mapping Language Dynamics in the Linguistic Landscape of Hispanic Philadelphia. Languages, 9(4), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9040123
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Guarín, D. (2022). Colombian Literature in the Spanish as a Foreign Language’s Textbooks: (Re)Presentations, Uses and Perspectives. Visitas Al Patio, 16(2), 460–484. https://doi.org/10.32997/RVP-vol.16-num.2-2022-4084
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Guarín, D. (Under Review). Textbook Prescriptions and Students' Deviation from Formal Grammar: Identity and Pronominal Use Variability Among Spanish Language Learners.
Guarín, D. (Under Review). Literature and Oral Tradition in the Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL) Classroom: A Didactic Proposal for Vocabulary Teaching.
Guarín, D. (Under Review). Ancestral Andean Metal as a Decolonial and Liberating Force in Colombian Society: Introducing Ynuk
Pronominal Address Forms (tú, usted, and vos) Among Hispanic Communities in Philadelphia: A Sociolinguistic Analysis
This study examines pronominal address forms (tú, usted, vos) among Hispanic communities in Philadelphia, exploring how social variables influence pronoun usage and preferences. This research contributes to the growing body of work on Spanish in the United States, focusing on the understudied urban context of Philadelphia. Data was collected through surveys and interviews from 104 participants (73 women, 31 men) of diverse ages and national origins.
Our findings reveal that usted is the most frequently used pronoun (51.95%), followed by tú (42.15%), and vos (5.90%). This distribution challenges the common assumption that tú dominates in U.S. Spanish and highlights the complexity of pronominal address in this context. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the impact of demographic factors on pronoun usage, yielding several significant insights:
Gender: While not statistically significant, women use tú more frequently than men (45.35% vs. 35.00%), while men prefer usted more than women (56.77% vs. 49.79%). This trend aligns with previous sociolinguistic research suggesting women's tendency towards more informal language use.
Age: Usted usage increases significantly with age (p = 0.025, R² = 0.753), while tú usage decreases, though not significantly. This pattern reflects the traditional association of usted with respect and formality, which may be more valued by older speakers.
English proficiency: Higher English proficiency correlates with increased tú usage (p = 0.008, R² = 0.930) and decreased usted usage (p = 0.008, R² = 0.929). This finding suggests a potential influence of English's lack of T-V distinction on Spanish pronominal choices among bilingual speakers.
Length of residence: A significant association exists between time lived in Philadelphia and pronoun usage (χ² = 13.204, p = 0.040). Recent residents prefer tú, while long-term residents favor usted, indicating a possible shift in pronominal norms over time.
Education level: A significant relationship was found between educational attainment and pronoun preference (χ² = 16.461, p = 0.036). Participants with postgraduate degrees strongly prefer tú (84.37%), while those with primary education favor usted (83.33%). This stark contrast highlights the role of education in shaping linguistic choices.
Our research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of survey data with qualitative insights from interviews and recorded conversations. This methodology allows for a broader understanding of both usage patterns and speakers' attitudes towards pronominal address forms. Our findings have important implications for sociolinguistic theory, particularly in understanding how social variables interact to shape language use in multilingual contexts. The complex interplay of factors such as age, education, and English proficiency in determining pronoun choice challenges simplistic notions of language change and highlights the need for context-specific analyses.