Semester of Graduation
Fall 2023
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
This thesis employs variationist sociolinguistic methodology to explore the evolution of the Spanish expression of futurity. Modern Spanish utilizes a tripartite linguistic variable to express futurity consisting of 1) the morphological future, 2) the periphrastic future, and 3) the simple present. 18th and 19th century Spanish additionally used the periphrastic construction haber de ‘have to’+ infinitive. These diachronic changes are indicative of the evolutionary cycle that languages experience regarding futurity expression. Therefore, we hypothesize that upon examining the use of futurity expression in 18th and 19th century Spanish and comparing it with what occurs and is observed in the 20th century, one will be able to see how the Spanish morphological future is gradually replaced by the periphrastic future over time. Our data comes from plays because, although classified as written texts, they retain strong features of orality. Multivariate regression analyses results revealed that, contrary to modern usage, 18th century Spanish most frequently utilized the morphological future (61.4%) and the simple present (16%). Conversely, the periphrastic construction haber de + infinitive and the periphrastic future registered usage frequencies of 15.74% and 7.1% respectively. Additionally, 19th century Spanish most frequently utilized the morphological future (57.2%) and the simple present (15.8%). Conversely, the periphrastic construction haber de + infinitive and the periphrastic future registered usage frequencies of 14.9% and 12.2% These findings demonstrate gradual decline of the morphological future and increasing usage of the periphrastic future. As with modern Spanish, the verb, grammatical number, temporal adverbs, and gender condition futurity expression.
Date
11-2-2023
Recommended Citation
Lightsey, Justin C., "Un análisis de la evolución de la expresión de futuridad en español" (2023). LSU Master's Theses. 5883.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/5883
Committee Chair
Rafael Orozco