Ecology of a language: Chilean Spanish.

Your choice must not be one of the more wide-spread “languages” such as Spanish, French, Russian, Latin, Greek, Chinese, etc. Instead, you must narrow your focus to a specific dialect or variety of one of these or some other language; or you may choose a lesser-known non-European language. For example, rather than “Spanish,” you might choose Cuban Spanish, or Andean Spanish. Instead of “French,” you might look at Quebec French, or West African French. You are also welcome to choose a dialect of English. This might be a regional dialect, such as New England, Southwestern, or Appalachian; or it might be a social dialect, such as Cajun, or Boston Brahmin. (TOPIC CHOICE SELECTED: CHILEAN SPANISH)Questions you will addressA successful paper will address questions relevant to the language variety under investigation and, where possible, suggest answers for the questions presented. Some questions that may be relevant are given below. Depending on the variety you choose, you may find that one or more of these questions are not relevant, and you may encounter other questions as you research your language variety. Addressing these questions should be the main focus of your paper. Here are the basic questions you should answer (Adapted from The Linguistic Reporter, Winter 1971, page 25):1. What is the name of the language variety (what do its speakers call it; what do non-speakers call it; what do linguists call it)?2. Who are its users, and how are they grouped by nation, geographical location, class, religion, or any other relevant grouping?3. What larger “language” does it belong to? What are the main closely related dialects?4. What other dialects are employed by its users?5. Is this dialect written? If so, how and in what contexts?6. Is its use restricted or limited in certain ways, for example religion or ritual, written literature, legal proceedings, folk tales, and so on?7. What issues of power and authority are relevant to this dialect?8. Is the dialect endangered? If so, what factors might be involved? If not, what might be contributing to its vitality?

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