Vitalidad Etnolingüística del Español en Lincoln, Nebraska: Actitudes y Creencias Lingüísticas de un Grupo de Hispanohablantes

Authors

Josefa M. Samper Suárez, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Isabel Velázquez

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department

Modern Languages and Literatures

Date of this Version

6-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Modern Languages and Literatures (Spanish)

Under the supervision of Professor Isabel Velázquez

Lincoln, Nebraska, June 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Josefa M. Samper Suárez. Used by permission

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the perceptions of a group of Latinx Spanish speakers regarding the ethnolinguistic vitality of the Spanish language in Lincoln, Nebraska. The goal was to analyze their linguistic attitudes toward the Spanish language in several contexts and to explore the communicative, social, economic, and religious motivations for using or not using Spanish in the city. Additionally, this study examined how speakers conceptualize the relationship between language and ethnicity. Data was collected through sociolinguistic interviews from a sample of twenty-one native Spanish speakers, from three generations. Participants were recruited through a snowball sampling technique. The results indicate that participants perceive the use of Spanish in different settings as viable, and their immersion influences their perception of language vitality in Spanish-speaking social networks. The main motivation for speaking Spanish is social because in this context the language enables the creation and strengthening of solidarity and identity bonds with other Hispanic community members. Religious spaces and ethnic identity also contribute to language maintenance by providing opportunities for community connection. For these participants, speaking Spanish is intricately linked to their sense of belonging and integration into the Hispanic community of Lincoln, serving to legitimize their ethnic identity. Keywords: Subjective ethnolinguistic vitality, Spanish in the United States, language attitudes, language and identity.

Advisor: Isabel Velázquez

Recommended Citation

Samper Suárez, Josefa M., "Vitalidad Etnolingüística del Español en Lincoln, Nebraska: Actitudes y Creencias Lingüísticas de un Grupo de Hispanohablantes" (2024). Dissertations and Doctoral Documents from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–. 147.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissunl/147