Global Spanish(es) in a global city: linguistic diversity among learners of Spanish in London

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article considers the role of Spanish as a global language by examining its use in London, a global, multilingual and superdiverse city, where Spanish has no official status. I consider how pluricentric norms, panhispanism, and the emerging Nueva Política Lingüística Panhispánica (NPLP) find expression. In particular, I ask how regional and national varieties of Spanish are perceived by L1 and L2 learners and how these attitudes construct local language ideologies held by different actors. I profile two institutions where language ideologies and linguistic practice can be examined. These are: (1) an international Spanish–English bilingual school run as part of Spain’s diplomatic mission; and (2) a language school backed by the Spanish government. I argue that the NPLP is not just about the traditional “pillars” of Spanish language standardization (dictionaries, grammar, and orthography) but must also be negotiated through localized language policies outside of the “official” Spanish-speaking world.