Sociophonetic Study of the Backed /r/ in the Puerto Rican Diaspora in Holyoke, Massachusetts

Abstract

This article follows the variationist framework and the theoretical claims of scholars studying the sociolinguistics of globalization to analyse the use of the Puerto Rican Spanish backed /r/ in Puerto Rico and Holyoke (Massachusetts, USA). An examination of various (socio)linguistic factors enables analysis of potential backed /r/ variation and any discernible differences in its production in both settings under study. Results imply that the Puerto Rican community in Holyoke maintains its language as a means to strengthen its Puerto Rican identity.