article

The political topography of Spanish and English: the view from a New York Puerto Rican neighborhood

American ethnologist18 (2) • Published In 1991 • Pages: 295-310

By: Urciuoli, Bonnie.

Abstract
This article is based on the author's study of eight families (seven Puerto Rican and one black) in New York's Lower East Side, and their views and experiences on bilingualism and community structure. The field work was done during 1978-1979 and again in 1988. Urciuoli suggests '…that people build their sense of language around relationships as much as they build relationships around language' (p. 295). For example, when English is used by inner-city Puerto Ricans with one another and with black neighbors, the experience is completely different from that in which English is used with middle class whites. Those individuals who are bilingual develop a set of strategies. Linguistically, the ease with which Puerto Ricans and blacks form social relationships, contrasts strongly with relationships between Puerto Ricans and middle class whites.
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Speech
Social relationships and groups
Community structure
Ethnopsychology
Ethnosociology
culture
Puerto Ricans (Mainland)
HRAF PubDate
2002
Region
North America
Sub Region
Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Linguist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1992
Field Date
1978-79, 1988 (p. 296)
Coverage Date
1978-1988
Coverage Place
Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York, N.Y., United States
Notes
[by] Bonnie Urciuoli
LCCN
74644326
LCSH
Language--Puerto Ricans--New York, N.Y.