Linguistic Evidence Against the Hypothesis of a Huetarism in Cabécar

 

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Bibliographic Details
Author: González Campos, Guillermo
Format: artículo original
Status:Versión publicada
Publication Date:2025
Description:This paper refutes the hypothesis suggesting a linguistic influence of huetar on the cabécar term that designates the yellow-eared toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis). The study challenges the validity of the claim that the term has been borrowed from the huetar language by meticulously examining phonological irregularities proposed and verifying borrowability criteria. The findings refute the hypothesis, demonstrating the lack of solid evidence and questioning the social dynamics that influence linguistic adoption. The phonetic analysis reveals systematic patterns in the correspondence between the sound /d/ in Bribri and /t/ in Cabécar, which allow previously perceived irregularities to be discarded. The examination of the variant with [ɾ] offers nuanced insights, suggesting potential explanations beyond linguistic borrowing. This study contributes to a more subtle understanding of linguistic interactions, emphasizing the need for rigorous analysis in interpreting linguistic loans and phonetic correspondences. 
Country:Portal de Revistas UCR
Institution:Universidad de Costa Rica
Repositorio:Portal de Revistas UCR
Language:Español
OAI Identifier:oai:portal.revistas.ucr.ac.cr:article/350
Online Access:https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rfilyling/article/view/350
Keyword:huetar language
cabecar language
linguistic borrowing
diachronic analysis
proto-viceitic
lengua huetar
lengua cabécar
préstamo lingüístico
análisis diacrónico
protoviceíta