A new language is emerging in the United States

Mocobizscene- A unique dialect is developing in certain areas of Miami as a result of the cultural exchange between Spanish and English speakers. The unique dialect is an English variant influenced by Spanish, developed over many years due to immigration from Spanish-speaking countries to Southern Florida.

Miami, one of the most bilingual cities in the US, is home to a majority Hispanic and Latino population. Over the past few decades, the Spanish language has merged with American English, giving rise to a unique dialect with its own set of expressions and phrases.

According to linguists at Florida International University in Miami, the evolution of language serves as a prime illustration of how human languages are continuously transforming in response to historical and social circumstances.

Professor Phillip M. Carter, Director of the Center for Humanities in an Urban Environment at the Florida International University, emphasized that every word, dialect, and language carries a rich historical background. In an interview with IFLScience, he stated, “All words, dialects, and languages have a history.”

According to Carter, English is spoken in various ways in Miami. The particular variety that has been the focus of study for the past decade is primarily used by individuals born in Latinx-majority communities in South Florida. This variety is characterized by slight pronunciation variations, minor grammatical differences, and word usage influenced by the longstanding presence of Spanish in the region.

This new dialect incorporates Spanish sayings and directly translates them into English, while maintaining the original structure of the phrase. This linguistic phenomenon is known as a calque.

For instance, in many American English dialects, the phrase “bajar del carro” is commonly translated as “get out of the car”. However, in this particular case, it is more accurately translated as “get down from the car”.

Linguists have observed that native English speakers have also started adopting certain phrases from this new dialect, not just bilingual speakers.

According to Carter, these examples are instances of literal lexical calques, meaning direct translations. What is noteworthy is that these calques were not only used by immigrants who rely on their first language, Spanish, as they learn English, but also by their children who acquired English as their co-first language.

In 2022, Carter and linguist Kristen D’Allessandro Merii conducted a study to document the use of Spanish-origin calques in spoken English in South Florida. Additionally, a national group from outside of South Florida was also invited to participate in a similar task.

A group of 33 individuals in Miami, including first-generation Cuban Americans, second-generation Cuban Americans, and non-Cuban Hispanic individuals, participated in the study. They were asked to share their opinions on over 50 sentences that represented the characteristics of the new dialect. These sentences were then rated on a scale of “perfect,” “okay,” “awkward,” or “horrible.”

According to their research, the dialect was perceived as “natural” by individuals in Miami, but those residing outside of the area found it to be considerably more unfamiliar. This emphasizes the fact that dialects originate from subtle distinctions that accumulate over time, eventually making it appear ungrammatical to those who are not familiar with the dialect.

Carter emphasized the importance of removing the stigma attached to Miami English and any other dialects that may arise from marginalized communities.

Carter believes that Miami English should not be stigmatized because it is the native language variety for many individuals. It is the language that people learn from their parents, use in school, and hear in their community. Miami English is intertwined with their identity, friendships, and even love. Carter questions why this language should face stigma when it holds such significance for its speakers.

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