Linguistic Identity Represented in Testimonies of Ecuadorian Emigrants

Abstract

The authors propose to interpret and demonstrate the linguistic identity of Ecuadorian emigrants who have gone to more developed countries, especially the United States, Canada, Spain, Germany and Great Britain. For this purpose, they draw on testimonial works written by the protagonists, whose publications range from 1996 to 2015. Following the orientation of theories derived from the social and human sciences, particularly linguistics, after the application of the methodology and techniques of bibliographic-documentary research, the authors conclude that there is a significant representation of four elements linked to the language and dialect used by emigrants while they remain outside Ecuador: problems faced by Ecuadorians due to lack of knowledge of the language used in the countries of arrival; interpersonal communication strategies used by emigrants until they acquire basic notions of the new language; differences in the use of Spanish between Ecuadorians and Spaniards; and assimilation of Spanish as a strategy for the integration of Ecuadorians in Spain.