Work

Linguistic convergence in U.S.-raised Spanish–English bilinguals’ nominal demonstrative use

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates linguistic convergence in Spanish–English bilinguals’ demonstrative use in English ( this/that ) and Spanish ( este/ese ). Participants completed a task that tested the influence of speaker-referent distance on demonstrative use. Study 1 includes Spanish-speaking monolinguals in Mexico, English-speaking monolinguals in the USA, and Spanish–English bilinguals who were born in the USA or arrived at a young age. Results show that speaker-referent distance constrained all groups’ demonstrative use; however, this effect was weaker in the bilinguals’ Spanish as compared to the Spanish-speaking monolinguals. Study 2 focuses on the bilinguals’ demonstratives. Group-level and individual analyses present evidence for linguistic convergence: the bilinguals’ usage patterns were similar across their languages. Additionally, language dominance predicted usage patterns: the more English-dominant the participant, the greater the likelihood of producing proximal demonstratives for near and far referents alike. This pattern mirrors common diachronic changes, supporting the view that bilinguals may propel language change.

Source: Bilingualism Language and Cognition

DOI: 10.1017/s1366728925000161

Authors: Sarah Lease, Naomi Shin

Institution: University of New Mexico

Language: English

Topic: Spanish Linguistics and Language Studies

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550

Funder: W.K. Kellogg Foundation