Abstract
In this chapter, we analyze the results of an online survey about language use and attitudes toward Spanish in Aruba, which is a Caribbean island where the main home language is Papiamento, a Spanish-Portuguese-lexifier creole. Previous studies pointed out that the influx of Latinx immigrants has made many Arubans feel that Papiamento and the Aruban culture are under threat and has increased negative attitudes toward the Spanish language and its speakers. We investigated the extent to which these feelings were corroborated by Aruban participants. The results of our survey pointed out that Papiamento was the most frequently used language by far. Attitudes toward Spanish were rather neutral or even positive, but a slight majority of our participants agreed that Papiamento could lose its importance due to the use of Spanish (and English). Hence, the results of our study indicate that perceptions of language threat concerning an “ingroup” language (in this case, Papiamento) are not necessarily related to negative language attitudes toward an “outgroup” language (in this case, Spanish). Moreover, the findings of our study indicate that knowledge of Papiamento, English, and Dutch, in addition to Spanish, is an important key to the pursuit of social mobility and justice for Latinx immigrants in Aruba.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Language Attitudes and the Pursuit of Social Justice |
Subtitle of host publication | Identity, Prejudice, and Education |
Publisher | Taylor and Francis |
Chapter | 9 |
Pages | 163-184 |
Number of pages | 22 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781040154427 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781032612577 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 28 Nov 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2025 selection and editorial matter, Mara R. Barbosa and Talia Bugel.