Abstract

MALAVER, Irania. Ahorita: lexicalization and linguistic change in the spanish spoken in Caracas. Nueva rev. filol. hisp. [online]. 2017, vol.65, n.1, pp.27-57. ISSN 2448-6558.  https://doi.org/10.24201/nrfh.v65i1.2828.

This paper examines occurrences of ahorita and the temporary values attached to the use of the diminutive in the Spanish spoken in Caracas. The adverb ahora is described and the concept of lexicalization is analysed as an example of linguistic change. The different meanings of the diminutive given in academic dictionaries and in nineteenth and twentieth century dictionaries of Americanisms are examined as a way to trace the semantic changes the diminutive has undergone over the years. Diachronic and contemporary data are cited from several American sociolinguistic corpora. The Caracas data confirm that ahorita is used very frequently and is in the process of lexicalization.

Keywords : diminutive; ahorita; lexicalization; Caracas speaking community; Preseea.

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