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In:Intermediate Language Varieties: Koinai and regional standards in Europe
Edited by Massimo Cerruti and Stavroula Tsiplakou
[Studies in Language Variation 24] 2020
► pp. 149–182

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Chapter 7
Variation, identity and indexicality in southern Spanish

On the emergence of a new variety in urban Andalusia

 | University of Málaga
 | University of Málaga
Published online: 22 June 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/silv.24.07vil
Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to claim that the emergence of a new intermediate variety in the space between standard Castilian Spanish and vernacular varieties from Andalusia is based on a new identity that blends, on the one hand, the individual’s orientation towards modern life, urbanisation and standardness and, on the other hand, faithfulness to the southern traditional community values. In fact, linguistic features shaping this intermediate variety – including split of southern consonant mergers and preservation of the southern erosive changes affecting consonants in coda position – go far beyond phonology and correlate in such a way that it is conceivable to assume the existence of a socially and perceptually coherent variety that can be considered as an alternative to the regional standard from Seville. To prove this, multivariate analyses of phonological, morphological, syntactic and lexical variables have been carried out in the context of a research project including southern (Granada, Malaga, Seville) and central (Madrid) urban areas. Results confirm that this variety is mainly spoken by young urban middle-class standard-oriented speakers who do not identify with the traditional southern way of life.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background
    • 2.1Phonology
      • 2.1.1Onsets
      • 2.1.2Codas
    • 2.2Grammar
    • 2.3Discourse
  • 3.The intermediate variety
    • 3.1Overview
    • 3.2Coherence
  • 4.Hypotheses
  • 5.Data and results
    • 5.1Variables
    • 5.2Coherence: To what extent is this a new variety?
    • 5.3Speakers
      • 5.3.1Education
      • 5.3.2Gender
      • 5.3.3Interaction
        • 5.3.3.1Gender and education
        • 5.3.3.2Education and age
      • 5.3.4Multivariate analysis
  • 6.Conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
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