SPA 358 - Dialectal Variation in the Spanish-Speaking World.

Spanish is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages, with nearly 500 million native speakers, and tens of millions of others who have learned it as a second or foreign language.  Since the fall of al-Andalus (modern-day Andalusia), the Spanish language has evolved to comprise a large number of mutually intelligible dialects spread out over a considerable geographical distance.  By examining how these dialects vary from one another, we gain insight into diverse linguistic topics such as sound change, how languages evolve over time, and the influence of language contact and bilingualism. 

This course starts with an historical overview of where the Spanish language came from before moving on to discuss where it went, as a result of both religious persecution in Spain and colonial expansion throughout the Americas.  This unique history has left innumerable regional varieties and sociolects in its wake, which will become our object of study during the second part of the semester.  After examining the impressive phonological, morphosyntactic, and lexical diversity of these dialects, the semester will close with an in-depth view of how Spanish is presently being used in many parts of the United States.

Over the course of the semester, students can expect to acquire knowledge of core linguistic concepts, increase their abilities in Spanish, and have an opportunity to engage in sociolinguistic research related to the varieties of Spanish spoken throughout the US.  By way of readings and written reflections, alongside a combination of audio and video recordings, music, and guest speakers from around the Spanish-speaking world, this class is designed to help expand students’ conceptions of what the Spanish language is.  Please note that prior coursework in linguistics, while helpful, is not a prerequisite for this class.

Conducted in Spanish.

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Either SPA 260, 271 or 272. Or permission of the instructor.