Chicano English
Why so many Americans speak Chicano English
Play videoChicano English is a dialect largely spoken by and associated with Mexican Americans. Chicano English is not the same as "Spanglish," which is more related to code switching. Instead, Chicano English is characterized by several features, including pronunciations, word meanings (ex. "barely"), and rhythm of speech. Recent research is suggesting that other Californian dialects are being influenced by Chicano English! In this video we hear from several Chicano English speakers, as well as an expert linguist.
That one dude with weird vocabulary
Video of a man speaking mixed primarily English and Spanish, using archaic or formal words in English mixed with contemporary Mexican Spanish slang. "El Brian got mad at me, he got furious at me, because his morra was looking at me in a coquettish manner. She was talking to me in a flirtatious manner, wey. [Published on 10-25-2024]
I Can't Say Guacamole | On incorporating foreign words into English speech
Play videoBilingual English speaker talks about how he incorporates foreign words into his English speech; whether he should match the phonology with the language the foreign word came from, or adapt it to match that of his English speech
I Made a Linguistics Professor Listen to a Blink-182 Song and Analyze the Accent
This article describes the fascinating, long, and arduous way the "pop-punk accent" was formed. Famous singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day describes himself as “an American guy faking an English accent faking an American accent”. Moving from England to America and back again multiple times–both replicating and rejecting each other to either extreme–and adding elements of Chicano English, the California Shift, and influences from skate/surf culture, the pop-punk accent is created. Many linguistics features are mentioned, such as non-rhoticity, the cot/caught merger, monophthongs where diphthongs should be, oo-fronting, and r-fullness. [Published on 06-15-2015]
Cardi B's Casual Speech and Realness
Play videoIn regular speech, Cardi B uses Chicano English and AAE features; she says when she speaks, she doesn't care about her accent, unlike when she sings.
Cardi B's authentic accent
Play videoAudiences applaud Cardi B for embracing Chicano English in her rap music. She also uses AAE features in a way that is typical for rap music.
Mock Spanish in the movie Friday
Play videoIn this video, Chris Tucker is talking to his Hispanic friends and uses Spanish. This is an example of mock Spanish.
Chola Makeover
Play videoA group of cholas give two other woman a makeover using their styles of fashion and makeup.
Chola's Talk Chola Fashion
Play videoA few groups of cholas comment on chola fashion and the ways people outside of the group use their makeup and clothes styles.
Keye & Peele - Proud Thug
Play videoIn this Key and Peele skit called “Proud Thug”, comedians Michael Keegan-Key and Jordan Peele portray stereotypical Hispanic gangsters. They use terms like “holmes”, “homie” and “esé” to refer to each other. On top of the heavy Spanish accents, they use some broken English, double negatives, slang, and a lot of cursing to communicate in a way that Hispanic “gangstas” are expected to.
Key and Peele Loco Gangsters
Play videoThis is a video from the TV show Key and Peele called Loco Gangsters. Key and Peele act out a skit as perceived Latino males. They use a variety of linguistic techniques ranging from the ideologies believed to be associated with Spanish to mock Spanish.
Code Switching, Mock Spanish, and Kevin Hart
Play videoKevin Hart is explaining what it's like to be in prison. He takes on numerous different forms and voices to show the different type of people in prison.
The linguistics of the East L.A. accent
A 2011 interview on Southern California Public radio about the East L.A. accent and Chicano English, with guest Carmen Fought.