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Book Summary
A groundbreaking linguistic study of Afro-Bolivian Spanish, an endangered dialect shaped by African slavery in the Andes. Sessarego combines historical analysis with fieldwork to trace its origins, structural features, and current status. Essential for scholars of contact linguistics, sociolinguistics, and Latin American studies, this book offers a rare window into a little-documented variety and its implications for creole genesis debates.
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About The Afro-Bolivian Spanish Determine...
Sandro Sessarego's 'The Afro-Bolivian Spanish Determiner Phrase' provides the first book-length examination of the nominal syntax of Afro-Bolivian Spanish (ABS), a contact variety spoken by descendants of enslaved Africans in the Yungas region of Bolivia. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and historical research, Sessarego analyzes the structure of the determiner phrase, including bare nouns, plural marking, and the use of determiners, comparing ABS with other Afro-Hispanic varieties and with creole languages. He situates these findings within broader debates on creole genesis, language contact, and the nature of partial restructuring. The book also addresses the sociohistorical context of ABS, its current endangerment, and the implications for theories of language evolution. This rigorous yet accessible study will be invaluable to researchers and students in linguistics, especially those interested in Spanish dialectology, language contact, and the African diaspora in Latin America.
Who should read The Afro-Bolivian Spanish Determine...?
This book is essential for linguists specializing in Spanish dialectology, contact linguistics, and creole studies. Graduate students and advanced undergraduates in Hispanic linguistics will find it a rich case study. Scholars of Latin American studies, African diaspora studies, and sociolinguistics will benefit from its sociohistorical analysis. Additionally, language documentation and revitalization advocates will appreciate its attention to an endangered variety. It is also suitable for readers with a strong background in syntax who wish to explore understudied Hispanic varieties.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ First comprehensive syntactic study of Afro-Bolivian Spanish
- ✓ Combines rigorous linguistic analysis with rich sociohistorical context
- ✓ Contributes to theoretical debates on creole genesis and language contact
- ✓ Based on extensive original fieldwork data
- ✓ Accessible to advanced students while remaining scholarly
Cons
- ✗ Highly specialized; assumes prior knowledge of syntactic theory
- ✗ Limited to the determiner phrase, not a full grammar
- ✗ Fieldwork data may be difficult for non-specialists to interpret
- ✗ Minimal pedagogical features (e.g., exercises, glossaries)
- ✗ Availability may be limited outside academic libraries
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Frequently asked questions
What is Afro-Bolivian Spanish?
Afro-Bolivian Spanish is a variety of Spanish spoken by descendants of African slaves in the Yungas region of Bolivia. It exhibits unique linguistic features due to contact and isolation, and is considered endangered.
Is this book suitable for beginners in linguistics?
No, it assumes familiarity with syntactic theory and linguistic terminology. It is best suited for advanced students and researchers.
Does the book include empirical data?
Yes, it draws on extensive fieldwork data collected by the author, providing authentic examples and quantitative analysis.
How does this book contribute to creole studies?
It uses Afro-Bolivian Spanish as a case study to test hypotheses about creole genesis, partial restructuring, and the role of contact in language change.
Is the book focused only on syntax?
While the core analysis is syntactic (the determiner phrase), it also includes sociohistorical background and discussion of language endangerment.
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