Mester

This study explores the concept of hemispheric intersection by analyzing language ideologies that have shaped the linguistic construct of the Judeo-Spanish language. Given the abundance of languages that have influenced the overall linguistic strata of Judeo-Spanish over the past five centuries, the primary questions of this study are: (1) what are the hegemonic factors that have been imposed on Judeo-Spanish speaking communities and (2) how are such factors representative of linguistic change within the language? This article, therefore, commences by providing a brief historical development of the Judeo-Spanish language so that readers understand how this language may be considered a language rich in global interaction and construction. In order to address the main questions of this study, I describe a similar phenomenon occurring in three Judeo-Spanish communities worldwide: Israel, Turkey and the United States. I then describe what are to be considered the reasons for linguistic assimilation, language modification and language shift in the context of each setting. Analysis of these dynamics will guide the examination of Judeo-Spanish metalinguistic practices and choices based on the global dwelling of the language and its speaker. I then conclude by reviewing the central elements that are factored into contemporary Judeo-Spanish linguistic constructs and suggest expansion of this research.