Chapter 1. Relationship between external factors and development of regional variation ( vosotros vs. ustedes ) by L2 learners of Spanish in Spain

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the impact of three key programmatic features – program type, housing condition, and program length – on the development of a geographically variable feature, the second-person plural forms of address (i.e., vosotros/ustedes distinction) by second language learners of Spanish studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. Additionally, we compare the use of both vosotros and ustedes to a local Madrileño speaker baseline. To measure the use of vosotros and ustedes, the participants completed an oral discourse completion task. While the results of the study point to an increase in vosotros production among all participants, the students enrolled in a service-learning program, living with a host family, and participating in a long-term program significantly increased their use of vosotros.