The Spanish Language Today

The Spanish Language Today describes the varied and changing Spanish language at the end of the twentieth century. Suitable for introductory level upward, this book examines: * where Spanish is spoken on a global scale * the status of Spanish within the realms of politics, education and media * the standardisation of Spanish * specific areas of linguistic variation and change * how other languages and dialects spoken in the same areas affect the Spanish language * whether new technologies are an opportunity or a threat to the Spanish language. The Spanish Language Today contains numerous extracts from contemporary press and literary sources, a glossary of technical terms and selected translations.

Miranda Stewart is Senior Lecturer in Spanish and Latin American studies at the University of Strathclyde

Part I Spanish as a world language; Chapter 1 The extent and status of Spanish in the world; Chapter 2 The standardization of Spanish; Part II Spanish: variation and change; Chapter 3 The phonetics, phonology and orthography of Spanish; Chapter 4 Spanish lexis; Chapter 5 Spanish morpho-syntax; Part III The Spanish language in use; Chapter 6 Tú, Vd. and forms of address; Chapter 7 Discourse and genre; Chapter 8 Conversation, pragmatics and politeness; Part IV Spanish in contact; Chapter 9 Spanish in contact;