Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 00:39:09 -0400

From: Alberto Rey alrey[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CLDC.HOWARD.EDU

Subject: Help Stats&Nicaragua



I have recently completed a research project on the social correlates of

the variation of" you" subject pronouns in Nicaragua. The correlations

that came out are quite unexpected, at least for me. It seems that in

some social situations some social variables show a positive correlation

for the usage of Usted, tu, AND vos, not more usage of one pronoun and

less of another pronoun, as has been the case in other research that I've

completed in Honduras and Colombia. For example, when speaking to male

subordinates in the workplace, the more educated subjects used usted, vos,

AND tu significantly more, hile less educated Ss used the three pronouns

less. In the past studies it would be more like the Higher educated would

use Usted more and Vos less, so the lesser educated Ss would use Usted

less and Vos more.



I hope this makes sense. I mean my dilema.



If anyone out there can help me with the interpretatation of the statistics

and/or the sociolinguistic situation in Nicaragua, I would be most appreciative.



Thanks,

Alberto Rey