Language variation and the linguistic enactment of identity among Dominicans

Abstract

The present study seeks to examine the linguistic dimensions of national and immigrant Dominican societies, in particular, the linguistic attributes and attitudes that delimit Dominican speech communities and the extent to which social identity may be mediated via these linguistic constructs. The sociolinguistic profile to be proffered is achieved by reference to language forms and evaluations unveiled in interviews conducted in the Dominican Republic and New York. Taking a broad view of the findings, we conclude that owing to its phonological and morphosyntactic innovations, the Dominican dialect may not be regarded as a linguistic variety to which overt prestige should be ascribed; nevertheless, the dialect enjoys a considerable measure of covert prestige, as a symbol and enactment of national, group, and individual identity.