Abstract

Chilean forms of address display a tripartite system, including voseo, tuteo and ustedeo. Empirical evidence suggests that voseo is now gaining social prestige and is extending to other communicative contexts (Rivadeneira, 2009; Bishop & Michnowicz, 2010; Rouse, 2010; among others). The present study shows some partial results from a research project and where social variables such as gender, age and geographical origin have been considered. Results indicate that the predictive factors show a correlation with voseo. The assumption of a linguistic change in progress is supported by the findings, especially regarding the generational variable.