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Spanish and Portuguese Language and Literature Commons™
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Full-Text Articles in Spanish and Portuguese Language and Literature
Dialect Contact: Lexical Availability As A Measure Of The Acquisition Of Characteristics From Another Dialect, Ross James Cairns
Dialect Contact: Lexical Availability As A Measure Of The Acquisition Of Characteristics From Another Dialect, Ross James Cairns
Theses and Dissertations
This study uses lexical availability as a way in which to measure the level of an individual's acquisition of the dialect of their spouse. Although lexical availability studies are in abundance, to the author's knowledge, this is one of the few, if not the only, type of study that uses lexical availability to measure dialect contact.
Lexical availability studies attempt to determine the most readily available lexical items in an individual's lexicon. This study implemented standard methodologies in order to determine whether dialect contact was more likely when specific topics were chosen. That is, if the topic in question was …
Linking Language To Latino Turnout, Alexander C. Ervin
Linking Language To Latino Turnout, Alexander C. Ervin
Honors Projects
After Latino-Americans demonstrated their power in the 2012 presidential election, securing increased minority support at the polls has become a primary goal for both major U.S. political parties. A reliable bloc of Latino voters on one’s side could mean more wins, yet Latinos have a low voter turnout rate. This paper explores how to increase Latino turnout and argues that the use of the Spanish language in electoral advertising will have a positive effect and actually raise the rate of Latino participation. By comparing statewide Latino turnout data during both the 2002 midterm elections and the 2008 presidential election, I …