Miami English: A New Dialect Influenced by Language Contact

In Miami, a new English dialect has emerged among people who primarily speak Spanish. This dialect is characterized by not just the use of Spanish words, but also by unique expressions and word order influenced by Spanish. For example, instead of 'getting out of a car,' people in Miami English say 'stepping down from a car,' a direct translation of the Spanish expression 'de la carro.' Similarly, instead of 'having a party,' they say 'making a party,' reflecting the Spanish expression 'a ser un a fiesta.' These expressions are used by English-dominant speakers who may not even speak Spanish fluently. This phenomenon is an example of the impact of language contact, particularly in a bilingual and multicultural city like Miami.