Abstract

In this article we have described and analyzed the use of pronoun and noun forms of address in a corpus of private letters written in the Saltpeter Pampa at the beginning of the 20th century. Our analysis integrates different theoretical models that explain the use and variation of address forms according to linguistic, sociopragmatic, discursive and stylistic factors. Our findings show the existence of a tripartite pronoun system including usted, tú and vos, which co-appear with noun adress forms integrated as deictic anchorage, and as reinforcement of the contact and type of relationship between adresser and adressee. Likewise, one of the most salient features in the corpus is pronoun alternation among tú/vos and tú/usted, especially in affective contexts. This interparadigmatic variation could be interpreted as a communicative strategy related with stylistic and emotional factors.