Atitudes em Fronteira: O Caso de Tabatinga e Letícia

Abstract

This paper analyzes the linguistic attitudes of Brazilian and Colombian bilingual inhabitants (English and Spanish) in Leticia and Tabatinga in order to confirm if a binational representation is kept, taking into account what people express about their languages. This research is sociolinguistic because linguistic attitudes have a bearing on the way communities interact linguistically. The methodology is based on data analysis and the measurement of social attitudes according to methods used in Social Psychology. More specifically, data collected in interviews and questionnaires are assessed in an attitudes measurement scale (Likert Scale). Discrepancies in beliefs and valves between Brazilians and Colombians livins in this zone were confirmed. Their linguistic attitudes suggest that a binational representation is kept. An idea of political frontier is marked. Brazilians prefer Portuguese, and feel it is their language; Colombians prefer Spanish. Portuguese is spoken in Tabatinga; Spanish is spoken in Leticia. This situation is reinforcing the idea that national frontiers influence the inhabitants' linguistic choice. Brazilians and Colombians in Leticia and Tabatinga see each other as different people, with different beliefs and languages.