Estratos de distanciamento léxico en español. Análisis dialectométrico

Abstract

This article analyzes lexical variation in Spanish-speaking countries using dialectometric techniques, based on data from the Varilex-R project. Patterns of lexical distancing between regions and countries are identified, employing quantitative approaches to determine linguistic similarities and differences. Through methods such as cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling, six major lexical areas are detected: Spain-Equatorial Guinea, Mexico-Caribbean, Central America, Andes, Río de la Plata, and Chile. A more detailed analysis of 12 clusters later reveals greater complexity in Central America and specific differences in Venezuela and Ecuador. Reference studies show that countries such as Spain, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Mexico exhibit varying lexical distances from the rest of the Hispanic world. The relationship between geographical and lexical distance stands out, although with exceptions such as the lexical affinity between Spain and Equatorial Guinea and Mexico’s proximity to the Caribbean. The findings demonstrate that Spanish lexical diversity is influenced not only by geography but also by historical and sociocultural factors. The dialectometric methodology provides an objective perspective on these variations, paving the way for future studies with greater depth at regional levels and in other linguistic aspects.