Question

Barreiro (2018) describes the use of regional Salvadorian terms by Salvadorians living in Los Angeles and Washington DC. Salvadorians in LA are in a minority among Spanish speakers in LA but represent about half of the Spanish speakers in DC.

Which of the following characterizes her primary finding?"

A) Salvadorians in both LA and DC rarely use regional Salvadorian terms in their speech.
B) Salvadorians in LA predominantly use regional Salvadorian terms, while those in DC do not.
C) Salvadorians in DC are more likely to use regional Salvadorian terms compared to those in LA.
D) Salvadorians in both LA and DC regularly incorporate regional Salvadorian terms in their language.
E) Salvadorians in LA are more likely to use regional Salvadorian terms compared to those in DC.

Answer 1

Salvadorians in DC are likelier to use regional Salvadorian terms than those in LA, exemplifying how regional and ethnic identity can be expressed and maintained through the use of distinct linguistic elements. The correct answer is C) Salvadorians in DC are more likely to use regional Salvadorian terms compared to those in LA.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary finding of Barreiro (2018) is that Salvadorians in DC are more likely to use regional Salvadorian terms compared to those in Los Angeles (LA). The use of these regional terms by Salvadorians is influenced by the cultural makeup of the cities they are in.

In LA, Salvadorians form a minority among Spanish speakers and are more exposed to other Spanish dialects, possibly leading to less frequent use of regional terms. In contrast, Salvadorians represent a significant portion of the Spanish-speaking community in DC, encouraging the retention and use of Salvadorian vernacular.

This observation reflects broader linguistic dynamics in which ethnic and regional identities are maintained or diluted through language. The interplay between language and ethnicity highlights how migrant communities navigate their identities, sometimes using dialect as a marker of ethnicity.

This can be seen in various parts of the US where specific dialects bear the marks of the ethnicities that influenced them, such as New York City's Italian and Irish influence, and the hybridized English called Spanglish found around the US-Mexico border.