Spanish Language Use in Central Illinois
Submission Type
Event
Expected Graduation Date
2014
Location
Room E105, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-12-2014 11:00 AM
End Date
4-12-2014 12:00 PM
Disciplines
Spanish and Portuguese Language and Literature
Abstract
Although English is the most commonly spoken language in the United States, the Spanish language has maintained its status across the nation. There have been a variety of studies on factors that affect language maintenance or shift, however the use of and attitudes towards the Spanish language in rural areas warrant more study. These types of studies are crucial for understanding the different factors that play a role in the maintenance of a heritage language. This study attempts to examine the use of and attitudes towards the Spanish language of a group of Spanish-speakers in Central Illinois. The data collected via a Qualtrics questionnaire, similar to the one used in Stone (1987), seeks to provide insight of the possible factors that may affect the maintenance or shift of Spanish in the community based on their usage in different domains and attitude toward the language.
Stone, Gregory, (1987). “Language choice among Mexican-American high-school students in Saint Paul, Minnesota: Some preliminary findings.” In J. Matluck, T. Morgan, J. Lee, & B. VanPatten (Eds.), Language and language use: Studies in Spanish (pp. 147-159). Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
Spanish Language Use in Central Illinois
Room E105, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Although English is the most commonly spoken language in the United States, the Spanish language has maintained its status across the nation. There have been a variety of studies on factors that affect language maintenance or shift, however the use of and attitudes towards the Spanish language in rural areas warrant more study. These types of studies are crucial for understanding the different factors that play a role in the maintenance of a heritage language. This study attempts to examine the use of and attitudes towards the Spanish language of a group of Spanish-speakers in Central Illinois. The data collected via a Qualtrics questionnaire, similar to the one used in Stone (1987), seeks to provide insight of the possible factors that may affect the maintenance or shift of Spanish in the community based on their usage in different domains and attitude toward the language.
Stone, Gregory, (1987). “Language choice among Mexican-American high-school students in Saint Paul, Minnesota: Some preliminary findings.” In J. Matluck, T. Morgan, J. Lee, & B. VanPatten (Eds.), Language and language use: Studies in Spanish (pp. 147-159). Lanham, MD: University Press of America.