Transfer in the Spanish Progressive Constructions in Los Angeles∗

Among the linguistic phenomena that develop in language-contact situations, the transfer of features from one language into another is a common strategy used by bilinguals to cope with the task of using two different linguistic systems (Weinreich 1974; Silva-Corvalán 1986; Thomason and Kaufman 1988). This paper argues that transfer characterizes the use of the Spanish progressive forms in a situation of intense contact with English. Furthermore, the present paper brings evidence from the Spanish spoken in Los Angeles, which shows transfer of certain conditions of use from the English progressive system. In particular, there is an increase in the relative frequency of progressive forms to refer to ongoing activity following English patterns. In this way, transfer leads to convergence of the bilinguals ’ system of present reference with English