Digital Commons Network^™

University Of The Pacific Serves Mexican-American Community, Office Of Public Relations

Elbert Covell College

No abstract provided.

Spanish-Speaking College Operated By University Of The Pacific, University Of The Pacific News Bureau

Elbert Covell College

No abstract provided.

News Release: Overseas Campus In Costa Rica, Office Of Public Relations News Bureau

Elbert Covell College

No abstract provided.

Language Attitudes And Stereotypes Condition The Processing Of Contact-Induced Linguistic Variants, Sonia Barnes, Whitney Chappell

Spanish Languages and Literatures Research and Publications

This study examines the effect of language attitudes and stereotypes on vowel perceptions by two groups of listeners from Asturias, Spain that differ in their relationship with the languages present in their communities: Spanish, the national majority language, and Asturian, the regional minority language. The responses of 165 participants from the Nalón Valley (a mining area in the region) were compared with those of 156 listeners from Gijón (the largest urban area) as they categorized words containing synthesized productions of Spanish [o] and Asturian [u] in a task that combined binary forced-choice identification and visual priming. The results of a …

Businesses Entering The Latin American Market, Valeria Rangel

Honors Capstones

This study examines the strategies global companies use to successfully enter and compete in Spanish-speaking markets in Latin America. As the region continues to experience economic development and growing demand for infrastructure and energy-efficient technologies, it presents important opportunities for multinational organizations. However, companies expanding into these markets must consider cultural differences, regulatory environments, and regional economic conditions when designing effective market entry strategies.

This research analyzes the key factors that influence global market expansion, including regional economic conditions, trade policies, and marketing strategies. Particular attention is given to the importance of localization, customer relationships, and digital communication when engaging …

Patient And Provider Perceived Barriers To Completion Of Breast And Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Spanish-Speaking Patients, Alexa Figueroa Baiges Md, Mph, Kayla Flores Md, Dawn Wankowski Ms, Manuel Lamptey Ms

Scientific Day

Background/Significance:

Limited studies have shown that Latino/Hispanic populations have disproportionately low breast and colorectal cancer screening rates in the United States. The role of language barriers on these disparities remains understudied. This project evaluated patient and provider-perceived barriers to breast and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Spanish-speaking patients.

Purpose:

Given that 16% of the Milwaukee population is Spanish speaking, this project aimed to identify barriers to cancer screening among Spanish-speaking patients receiving primary care at Aurora Healthcare clinics, to inform strategies to improve screening equity.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey project was conducted among Spanish-speaking patients due for breast or colorectal …

The Vocal Songs Of Ángela Peralta: A Performer's Guide, Ana Rangel Ortiz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This document is a performer’s guide to the five vocal works of Ángela Peralta from her 1875 Álbum Musical. While she is known as an operatic soprano in Mexico, her work as a composer is slowly receiving more recognition. This project builds on that growing interest by bringing her songs back into conversation by bringing her songs into a performance-centered framework and demonstrating that they extend beyond the expectations of salon music. This document combines historical context, score editing, and performance analysis to support modern singers. The original published scores contain many inconsistencies, including issues with text underlay, spelling, and …

The Catalan-Speaking Linguistic Landscape Of Spain: A Comparative Analysis Of Commercial Signage In Barcelona, Valencia, And Palma De Mallorca, Kyle Reasons

Honors Theses

The present study is a linguistic landscape of the Catalan-speaking region of Spain. Linguistic landscaping is a relatively new survey technique in the world of linguistics first developed in a study by Landry & Bourhis (1997) and has a focus on addressing the languages present on various forms of signage within a given area. Catalan is a Romance language with approximately 9 million speakers where it is recognized as a co-official language in 3 communities included in this study (the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community). This study looks at 3 cities in Spain (Barcelona, Valencia, and Palma de …

Motivating And Empowering Language Learners: Increasing Wtc Through Project-Based Open Badges, Käri Tanner

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

This design project investigates the use of project-based Open Badges to increase secondary students’ willingness to communicate (WTC) in a second language. Drawing on research identifying motivation and confidence as key predictors of communicative competence, the project integrates Project-Based Learning (PBL) with digital badging to support meaningful language use.

The intervention was piloted in a 9th-grade Spanish classroom in Davis School District, Utah. Six badges were developed across two instructional units, requiring students to complete authentic, performance-based tasks such as interpersonal conversations and presentational speaking. Students submitted evidence and reflections through a Canvas-integrated badging platform.

The design emphasized learner autonomy, …

Expanding Access To Latin American Art Song: A Study Of Theodoro Valcárcel's Andean-Influenced Art Songs, Douglas E. Perez

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

EXPANDING ACCESS TO LATIN AMERICAN ART SONG: A STUDY OF THEODORO VALCÁRCEL’S ANDEAN-INFLUENCED ART SONGS advocates for the exploration and performance of underrepresented Latin American composers. Multiple methods of increasing access are discussed, including the creation of a central source for IPA, literal, and poetic translations of Latin American art songs; the study of seldom-performed composers, their output, and influences; and the application of these elements through informed performance. This document centers on the Peruvian composer Theodoro Valcárcel and analyzes the intersection of his indigenous heritage with his Latin American and European musical training as reflected in his compositional style …

Lost In Translation? Bilingual Readability In Healthcare Forms, Darin Challacombe, Elizabeth Mcelhiney

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Health information achieves impact only when it is accessible and understandable to patients and their caregivers. Challacombe and McElhiney (2025), in Advances in Health Information Science and Practice, reported results from three studies analyzing the readability of patient-facing forms from the 150 highest-ranked hospitals in the United States. Their findings revealed the average readability of these forms exceeded the recommended 8th-grade reading level, indicating patients may not have fully understood their privacy rights or the specific documents requested.

This follow-up study extends the previous research by evaluating Spanish-language versions of these forms. Preliminary results suggest many translated documents are written …

The Impact Of Bilingual Superintendents On A Multilingual Job Site, Cesar Barajas

Construction Management

Language barriers are frequently encountered on construction job sites. Construction crews can often be limited in their proficiency when speaking English and in states like California, construction superintendents oversee a lot of Spanish-speaking crews. This study aims to identify if bilingual superintendents lead to better performing projects. Communication impacts major metrics of project performance including schedule, rework costs, safety performance, and coordination across trades. This qualitative study includes superintendents, project managers, and field crew semi structured interviews backed by survey answers. Interview participants discuss specific examples of how communication can affect jobsite performance both negatively and positively. Subjects are asked …

A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach To Evaluating Perceptions Of Bilingualism Among Latino Parents Of Autistic Children, Ana C. Ramirez, Philip Gerard Gasquoine, Amy A. Weimer, Gabriel González Núñez, Juan R. Maldonado-Coronado, Sarah Surrain, Ana M. Gonzalez-Barrero, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Bilingualism has multiple benefits, however, non-native English speakers in the United States often lose their minority language. Nevertheless, language attrition is preventable, as parental perceptions of bilingualism (PoB) contribute to a child’s active use of each language and influence proficiency. At present, there is a significant gap in understanding how different cultures and belief systems might influence the language development of autistic children from bilingual Latino families. Furthermore, research on PoB among parents of autistic children has mainly been qualitative in nature. The purpose of this study was to (a) employ a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to develop a …

Convergencias Y Divergencias: Un Estudio Comparativo De Lenguas Y Literaturas Española Y Portuguesa En España Durante La Temprana Edad Moderna Europea, Eduardo A. Rodrigues D'Abruzzo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the literary and linguistic relationships between Spain and Portugal during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries through literary works and their translations. A period characterized by the Iberian Union, vernacularization, and the consolidation of early modern literary systems. It explores the interaction of Spanish and Portuguese texts within a shared yet asymmetrical cultural space shaped by translation, genre adaptation, and hierarchies of linguistic prestige. The research employs comparative textual analysis grounded in historical sociolinguistics, philology, and translation studies. Key works analyzed include Alfonso X’s historiography, Francisco Rodrigues Lobo’s Corte na aldeia and its Spanish translation, and Luís de …

Language Attitudes And Maintenance Within Latino Families In Utah County, Megan Elise Magleby Townsend

Theses and Dissertations

While there has been research done on Latino individuals' and parents' language attitudes and maintenance practices, there is little known about children's language attitudes and their perceptions of their parents' views towards both Spanish and English. This thesis looks at what the current picture is in terms of Spanish maintenance in Utah County's immigrant families as well as those factors that affect the parents' language attitudes and maintenance efforts. This study also seeks to fill the gap in the literature concerning what children (ages 8-13) think of English, Spanish, their respective cultures, as well as their possible plans to pass …

The Policy Project: Translating Menstrual Equity Resources, Ashley Jackman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This creative project focuses on translating key materials from The Period Project, a campaign by the Utah nonprofit The Policy Project that tackles menstrual inequity by pushing for free period products in schools and public spaces. Their educational toolkits guide students and parents toward menstrual resources and outline compliance requirements for school administrators. However, a significant portion of Utah’s population speaks Spanish at home, and current toolkits are not readily available in Spanish. As a Spanish translation major, I saw this as an opportunity to use my skills in a real-world setting, as the translated toolkit will be immediately electronically …

Dual Language In Higher Education: Assessing Student Success And Student Experiences, Katherine Christoffersen, Ramsés Ortín, Dania López García, Ming-Tsan Lu, Javier Cavazos Vela

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

Although long-standing research has documented the many benefits of dual language (DL) education programs in the K-12 setting, there are few studies on the impact of DL in higher education. This study analyzes DL education at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) where certain classes are taught in Spanish or bilingually across diverse disciplines. In this mixed methods research study, we examine (1) how enrollment in these classes impacts student success through an analysis of cumulative grade point averages, retention, and time to degree and (2) how students perceive these classes through an analysis of course evaluations and surveys responses from current …

Stolen, Lost, And Replaced: Testimonios Regarding Chicana Responsibilities To The Spanish Language, Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ashley Martinez

International Journal on Responsibility

Using testimonio, the authors address how the Spanish language represents a component of Chicana identity. They illustrate how geography, history, and colonization impact Chicanas’ relationship with the Spanish language. Using testimonio allows the writers to explore the Spanish language in the United States through their personal experiences.

Resumen

Usando “testimonio”, las autoras abordan cómo el idioma español representa un componente de la identidad chicana. Ilustran cómo la geografía, la historia y la colonización afectan la relación de las chicanas con el idioma español. El uso de “testimonio” permite a las autoras explorar el idioma español en los Estados Unidos a …

A Spanish-Language Adaptation Of The Brief Wisconsin Inventory Of Smoking Dependence Motives Among Mexican And Mexican-American Adults Who Smoke, Yessenia Castro, Jose E. Velasquez, Zully C. Guerra, Tatiana Londoño, John R. Moore, Nazanin M. Heydarian

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Introduction: The smoking pattern of Latino smokers differs from non-Latino white smokers such that physical dependence may not be a strong motivator for smoking among Latinos. Multidimensional measures of dependence may be more useful, but there is a lack of psychometrically sound multidimensional Spanish-language measures. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a Spanish-language adaptation of the Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Dependence Motives (Brief WISDM) for use among Spanish-speaking Latino smokers in the U.S.

Methods: 287 Spanish-speaking Mexican-origin smokers in the U.S. responded to a revised set of Spanish Brief WISDM items. Confirmatory factor analyses and model trimming procedures were …

Chapter 3. Moroccan Arabic-Spanish Bilinguals’ Linguistic Profile And Their Perspectives And Experiences On Learning Standard Arabic, Ramsés Ortín, Pilar Garrido

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

We surveyed a group of Moroccan Arabic-Spanish speakers in the Region of Murcia, Spain, to examine their linguistic profiles, their attitudes towards their native Arabic dialect, their motivations to learn Standard Arabic and their learning experience with Standard Arabic. We found varying degrees of dominance in this group along with fluctuating patterns of dominance, proficiency and language use according to age and onset of acquisition of Spanish. This group displayed generally positive attitudes towards their own dialect and their motivation to learn Arabic was related to their religious and cultural connections. Most of them indicated that they had engaged in …

Conversations Abroad: The Effect Of Interlocutor Type, Relationship Quality, And L2 Proficiency On Interaction In Naturalistic Settings, Tripp Strawbridge

Modern Languages & Literature

Study abroad (SA) is touted for providing language learners with regular exposure to a second language (L2) in naturalistic settings. However, few studies have examined how interaction occurs in situ. This study analyzed 13 hours of naturalistic dyadic conversations self-recorded by 15 US-based undergraduate sojourners studying abroad for one semester in Spain. Conversations were analyzed for interaction metrics previously posited as relevant to L2 acquisition in SA: speaking time, negotiation of meaning, lexical assistance, and corrective feedback. The study then analyzed how these variables were conditioned by interlocutor identity (host family [HF] member, local native speaker [NS] peer, and nonnative …

Research Proposal: Complex Relationship Of Religious Community, Psychological Health, And Socioeconomic Status Of Spanish Speaking Residents Ages 18-50 In Lynchburg, Va, Faith Park

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Previous research has shown a clear quantitative correlation between socioeconomic status and religious gatherings as well as psychological health and religious gatherings. However, there have been few studies on the interconnectedness of mental health, socioeconomic stability, and religious identity and gathering. Research thus has not addressed the personal implications and the benefits of individual perspectives that can be offered through a qualitative methodology. Thus, this research proposes an ethnographic methodology which may provide insights that do not limit the subjectivity of mental health, religious experiences, and socioeconomic struggles.Through an integration of psychology, anthropology, and sociology, the proposed research hopes to …

Spanish Language Accessibility Within Mississippi Courts, Meredith Dudte

Honors Theses

As the Hispanic population continues to rise in Mississippi, Spanish language access in the public sector is of increasing importance. This thesis will specifically explore Spanish language access in Mississippi courts, identifying strengths and weaknesses and recommending policy solutions based on the results. To gain a better understanding of court interpretation in Mississippi, I interviewed ten Spanish language court interpreters and two court clerks either working in Mississippi courts or courts in similar southern states. Responses highlighted two themes as strengths: the federal court interpreter test and compensation, four themes as weaknesses: compensation, standards, omissions, and dialects, and four themes …

From Casa To Career: Language Domains Of Adolescent Heritage Spanish Speakers In The United States, Rachel Emily Koncurat

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is a critical time for identity development. At this stage, it is important that heritage speakers hear positive messages about their heritage language and have programs that meet their linguistic needs and aspirations. This thesis examines the sociolinguistic domains in which adolescent heritage Spanish speakers use English and Spanish. It addresses two key questions: 1) In what domains do adolescent heritage Spanish speakers use English and Spanish? 2) Do these domains align with the future contexts in which they wish to use Spanish? To answer these questions, I distributed an online survey about language domains and future language goals …

El Sonido Del Exotismo: Retratos De España En Carmen, Grace Quasebarth

Vernacular: New Connections in Language, Literature, & Culture

Este artículo examinará la “orientalización” de la identidad nacional de España, que resulta de la creación de estereotipos tanto creados en el extranjero como apropiados por la misma España durante el siglo XIX. Específicamente, voy a examinar la influencia de la ópera francesa Carmen de Georges Bizet (1875) en la creación de la imagen nacional española actual en la “Canción del torero” de dicha la producción de Ana Zamora para el Teatro de la Zarzuela de la zarzuela por el mismo nombre (1887) en 2014. Como obra plenamente romántica, hace hincapié en las características de ese movimiento cultura; por ejemplo, …

Voces, Poemas E Historias, Miguel García, Teresa Buzo Salas

World Languages & Cultures: Faculty Bookshelf

This collection includes Spanish poems written by students enrolled in elementary- and intermediate-level Spanish courses at Georgia Southern University. These poems were written between Fall 2020 and Spring 2024 and counted as the students’ final written projects.

Esta colección incluye poemas en español escritos por estudiantes inscritos en cursos de Español de nivel elemental e intermedio en la Universidad de Georgia Southern. Estos poemas fueron escritos entre el otoño del 2020 y la primavera del 2024, y contaron como el proyecto final escrito.

Changemakers : Jeremey Love And Samantha Armstrong : Juris Doctorate : Defending Dreams In Challenging Times, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Exophonic Literature: Why And How Authors Write In A Second Language, Jonathan M. Bost

Senior Honors Theses

Milan Kundera, Julio Cortázar, Joseph Conrad, Rigoberta Menchú, and James Joyce are just some of the multitudinous authors who wrote in languages that are not their mother tongue. This phenomenon is called “exophony,” and it is more common than many would expect. There are various reasons why authors write exophonic literature: James Joyce wrote to a friend that he was at the end of English (1957), and Menchú’s editor Elizabeth Burgos-Debray claims Menchú wrote in Spanish to use the language of her oppressors against them. This thesis will investigate case studies of various exophonic authors, relate advice such authors have …

Youtube User Traffic To Paired Epilepsy Education Videos In English And Spanish: Comparative Study., Luna Kimahri Varela, Stephanie Horton, Ahmed Abdelmoity, Jean-Baptist Lepichon, Mark A. Hoffman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Effectively managing epilepsy in children necessitates the active engagement of parents, a factor that is reliant on their understanding of this neurological disorder. Widely available, high-quality, patient-focused, bilingual videos describing topics important for managing epilepsy are limited. YouTube Analytics is a helpful resource for gaining insights into how users of differing backgrounds consume video content.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes traffic to paired educational videos of English and Spanish versions of the same content. By examining the use patterns and preferences of individuals seeking information in different languages, we gained valuable insights into how language influences the use of clinical …

Using Cognitive Interviewing To Develop Rating Scales Of Suicide Thoughts And Behaviors In Preadolescent Children, Jeremy W. Pettit, Carlos E. Yeguez, Rotem S. Budagzad-Jacobson, Taylar A. Clark, Yasmin Rey, Carla E. Marin, Eli R. Lebowitz, James Jaccard, Wendy K. Silverman

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Despite the alarming rise of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), in preadolescent children over the last two decades, no scales have been developed and validated to assess these troubling tendencies in this population. We describe how we developed English and Spanish language versions of a new scale to assess STBs in children, the Suicide Risk and Ideation Scale for Kids - Child and Parent versions (S-RISK-C/P), using cognitive interviewing. Method. After creating item pools in English and Spanish, we elicited feedback from three clinician content experts and conducted cognitive interviews with 8 children (4 girls; Mage = 10.37 years; …