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Linguistic assimilation in two variables

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Jon Amastae  and
David Satcher
Jon Amastae
Affiliation:
The University of Texas, El Paso
David Satcher
Affiliation:
The University of Texas, El Paso
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Abstract

This article examines the type of relatively rapid speech modification sometimes called “accommodation” (Trudgill, 1986). In this case, we track change on the part of speakers of Honduran Spanish newly resident among speakers of Northern Mexican Spanish. The two variables investigated are final /n/ velarization and spirantization, both of which differ in the two dialects. (Honduran Spanish velarizes final /n/, while Northern Mexican Spanish does not; Honduran Spanish conserves stops l, r, s and glides, whereas Northern Mexican Spanish produces fricatives.) It is found that, although there is change in the direction of local norms in both variables, velarization shows greater change. In addition, the degree of contact with local speakers also leads to greater change for velarization only. Reasons for the different behavior are considered.

Type
Research Article
Information
Language Variation and Change , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , March 1993 , pp. 77 - 90
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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