El contacto lingüístico anglocanario en la ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: algunas consideraciones para su estudio

Abstract

Up to now, most studies on the effects of the settlement of the British colony in Las Palmas within the period 1880-1914, approximately, have focussed on its significant contribution to the economic development of the city, as well as on the major role it played in the growth of the island as an international winter resort. But the co-existence of English and Spanish speakers also provoked a situation of languages in contact, which affected both native and British residents, as it is evidenced by the written records they left. Apart from corroborating the mutual influences received, a linguistic approach can determine the range of the social contact performed between the two communities. But it is obvious that before carrying out this kind of research, we should consider several points, since some difficulties may be encountered. These are the aspects this article is concerned with.