Quinceañera Character Analysis

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The main character of Quinceañera, Magdalena talks with her uncle Tomas. In their spoken language is possible to hear influence of Spanish accent. This influence is a characteristic feature for Chicano English. Both Magdalena and her uncle speak Chicano English despite the age difference. Uncle Tomas: You do not want to do that. Not unless you have to. Magdalena: What age did you leave school? Uncle Tomas: When I was twelve. Magdalena: Well... Uncle Tomas: That was the way it was. We have to work for a living. Magdalena: But I hate it right now, though. I hate school. I hate Herman. I hate this baby. Uncle Tomas: Do not leave school. You will end up as menso as me. 5 Uncle Tomas pronounces 'have to' as [haf tu] instead of [hæv tu] and also Magdalena says 'leave' as [lif] instead of [liv]. Devoicing of [v] to [f] is characteristic for Chicano English. Moreover, uncle Tomas says 'want' as [wʌ] instead of [wʌt]. This process is called deletion of th final alveolar stops and is one of the most distinguishable features. Another feature is pronunciation of 'i'. The lax [ɪ] sound becomes more tensed [i] in such a word as 'living', Tomas pronounces this word as [liβin] instead of [lɪvɪŋ]. This change of pronunciation is due to Spanish phonology because is Mexican Spanish exist only five vowels …show more content…

Irrespective of generation Chicanos speak Chicano English. Despite that English is their native dialect, their language is influenced by Mexican Spanish because of their Mexican origins. Due to this influence Chicano English came into existence. Younger generation of Chicanos speak mostly in English when the old generation use more Spanish than English. The spoken language is the easiest way to notice Spanish influence. Inasmuch as Spanish pronunciation is possible to hear in many Chicano words. This dialect is more monophthongal than Standard American

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