Sprachliche Unsicherheit bei unregelmäßigen Superlativbildungen im Spanischen

Abstract

This paper deals with the interrelation between the concept of linguistic insecurity described by Labov (1966) and the irregular formation of Spanish superlatives based on Latin roots such as paupérrimo, celebérrimo etc. instead of the analogue formation pobrísimo or celebrísimo. After a brief overview on the frequency of these forms and their alleged regular equivalents in Spanish corpora, a closer look is taken on the speakers’ internal and external aspects of linguistic (in)security. Finally, it is shown by an acceptability test that there are forms on -érrim*, which are not exclusively restricted to the norma culta in Spanish.