Discusses a shift in the distribution of first person plural pronouns, as well as changes in the patterns of use of the corresponding verb inflections, in spoken Brazilian Portuguese across four generations of speakers from Rio de Janeiro. (Author/VWL)

This article uses data from the random sample telephone survey portion of the Survey of Oklahoma Dialects to explore the spatial diffusion of linguistic innovations in Oklahoma. The data show that, although some linguistic innovations diffuse hierarchically, others diffuse contrahierarchically, whereas still others diffuse in complex patterns that…

Examines the social parameters of acceptance and spread of intervocalic spirantization of "/p/,/t/,/k/" in Tuscany to test the salience of gender and class. This sociolinguistic analysis of the interaction of three options provides a more precise understanding of the significance of gender and class as (co)-conditioners of variation and…

Examines the process of consonant cluster reduction in the English of residents of a San Antonio, Texas, "barrio." The author compares Tejano patterns of "/-t,d/" deletion with the pan-English pattern. Results suggest a pattern of convergence and divergence. The study shows that Mexican American English exhibits regional and…