Chupa- + S in the Spanish of Chile

Abstract

V + N compounds have a long and uninterrupted tradition in the Romance languages. They make up one of the productive and usual procedures for the creation of neologisms, predominantly of a popular character. In Chilean Spanish three compounds of chupa- have consolidated their use and have spread geographically and socially: chupasangre, chupamedia(s) and chupacabra(s). Others have less diffusion and frequency of use, are limited to specific actvity oriented groups or are marked as regards social stratification and valuation: chupatinta, chupacabras 2, chu-pamangas, chupapatas, chupapico, chupacabeza, chupacalceta.

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