A methodological approach to the history of the sociolinguistics of the Spanish language

Abstract

Currently, the study of linguistic change is understood to examine the process linked to the most general aspects of linguistic variation. It seems inexcusable today to focus on sociolinguistic methodology by adopting a purely sociolinguistic approach to the history of language. Sociolinguistics is the discipline that has best explained the mechanisms of change in language, but the incorporation of this approach into diachronic research is not free from di‰culties, one of which is the relative ignorance of how past societies functioned, as well as the limitations of relying exclusively on written texts. Given these circumstances, it is imperative to add a wide range of documental material to traditionally used literary sources, and especially important to include those that are closest to oral speech as well as those representing lower and less common registers. In this process we must remember that, over and above the work carried out by institutions, it has been the progressive rates of literacy in society, promoted by general schooling, that has contributed through written texts to the establishment of the linguistic standard.

The role of contextual frequency in the articulation of initial /f/ in Modern Spanish: The same effect as in the reduction of Latin /f/?

“…Foulkes's proposal falls in line with Guy's (2005:372) assertion that “the processes and mechanisms of diachrony should be reflected in synchronic variation” and with Brown and Raymond's (2012:144) assumption that “mechanisms working to create synchronic variation are the same as those that functioned in the past (Paredes & Sánchez-Prieto Borja, 2008). ” We must note, however, that it is not our intention to confirm here whether the synchronic variation observed in the realization of Modern Spanish /f/ constitutes a reprise of the diachronic change, as Foulkes proposed.…”

El marcado diferencial de objeto en el español del siglo XIX en Cataluña: registro y contacto de lenguas

“…por añadidura, conviene tener presente que en la evolución histórica de un fenómeno puede producirse una distribución social de las diferentes soluciones (paredes y Sánchez-prieto, 2008). por eso, el análisis de fuentes con un rango diverso de registro proporciona una mayor comprensión del proceso evolutivo de un fenómeno y contribuye, así, a la compleja tarea de la explicación de la variación y el cambio desencadenado por los hablantes en contextos comunicativos y sociales diferentes 4 .…”