Strategic bivalency in Latin and Spanish in early modern Spain
Kathryn A. Woolard|Eleonora Genovese
This article examines a genre of literary texts in early modern Spain written to be readable both Latin and Spanish. These provide explicit evidence phenomenon called “strategic bivalency.” They exemplify the ideological erasure language boundaries by experts purposeful mobilization bivalent elements that belong simultaneously two languages contact. It is argued using such bivalency strategically, speakers writers contact zones create effect at once, this can political act. The examined here were composed demonstrate superiority Spanish thus support preeminence. addresses import Latin-Spanish for ideology considers its implications understanding practices as discrete systems.An earlier version was presented March 2005 International Symposium on Bilingualism 5, Barcelona. Woolard grateful Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia Joan Argenter, principal investigator, partial (grant #BFF2003-02954) presentation, part project “Codeswitching culture historical communities: Studies linguistic ethnography.” Some material also Joint XX Conference U.S. V Contact with Other Languages, Chicago, 2005. thanks organizers these events opportunity discuss ideas. Archival library research supported New Del Amo Foundation through University California Universidad Complutense Madrid, which we gratefully acknowledge. Vincent Barletta Monica Seefeldt assisted bibliographic work. We are especially indebted Roger Wright helpful comments sources. Thanks José del Valle, Narcís Figueras, Ricardo Otheguy, Barbara Johnstone, anonymous reviewers, number other scholars who kindly responded queries. responsible any errors misconceptions persist despite all generous assistance.
Language in Society