Philadelphia Spanish speakers break traditional rules of formal and informal speech with signs around town

I have found fascinating about how Philadelphia Spanish speakers deal with each other and communicate through public indications.

This finding is part of my research on Philadelphia language patterns, challenging what many students have learned in Spanish classes.

Remember the lessons where I learned to use formal “usted” with strangers and use “tú” with friends? Now, the signs of the streets in Philadelphia show that Spanish speakers actually use pronouns in different ways.

In Spanish, unlike modern English, speakers need to choose the way they say “you” when addressing someone. The Spanish dialect uses four different forms: “Tú”, “Usted”, “Vos” and “Sumercé” from Colombia, but Spanish speakers writing signs in Philadelphia settled on two: “Tú” and “Usted.”

But what’s interesting here is that in Philadelphia, the choice of these forms doesn’t follow the traditional rules we thought we knew.

What the signs tell us

After analyzing 250 signs in three regions, which are quite a few Spanish speakers in North Philadelphia. Olney in North Philadelphia. We also found surprising patterns in online spaces such as the Italian market corridor in South Philadelphia and social media for various Hispanic organizations in the city.

Bilingual signs written in both Spanish and English tend to use the verb form associated with formal “usted.” However, signs written only in Spanish often use the informal “Tú” even when addressing strangers. This challenges the general assumption that we must always use formal languages ​​with people we don’t know.

My research suggests that the purpose of a message is more important than form. When a sign makes a request, it usually uses “usted”. But “Tú” is more common when they are trying to persuade or invite people to do something. The “Sit down” sign usually uses “Usted” and says it says, “Please come and join the grand opening!” Use “Tú”.

Changing voices in the city

Philadelphia’s Spanish-speaking history dates back to the late 1800s, with waves of migration bringing a clear variety of Spanish to the city.

Puerto Rican communities arrived in the 1940s and 1950s, followed by Colombians in the 70s and 1980s, and most recently, followed by immigrants in Mexico and Central America in the early 2000s.

Of particular note, these signs lack “Vos” despite the considerable Salvadoran population of Philadelphia’s traditionally using this form. This suggests that the new community is adapting language to signs to suit more established Spanish-speaking groups in the city.

Why is this important?

These findings teach us important things about the language of immigrant communities.

Rather than creating an entirely new dialect, Philadelphia Spanish speakers find common ground for how they communicate. It reminds us that language rules are often shaped by actual use rather than textbook guidelines.

Next time you walk through the Spanish-speaking area of ​​Philadelphia, beware of the signs around you. They not only provide directions and advertising services, but also show how language evolves when different communities come together in new homes.

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