Leísmo in Canarian Spanish: Evolution and Distinctive Features
Leísmo, the use of the pronoun “le” as a masculine direct object referring to a person, has been a subject of study in Canarian Spanish. According to Álvarez Martínez, María Ángeles, a few decades ago there was no hesitation in the use of third-person pronouns in the Canary Islands, and the etymological norm was generally maintained[1].
The author notes that “Canarias -al hallarse tan alejada de la metrópoli- mantenía una actitud conservadora, preservando el empleo latino, mientras que en Castilla, y luego por extensión en otras zonas peninsulares, se desarrolló otro sistema que originó lo que se conoce por laísmo, leísmo y loísmo” (Canary Islands, being far from the metropolis, maintained a conservative attitude, preserving the Latin usage, while in Castile and later in other peninsular areas, another system developed, giving rise to laísmo, leísmo, and loísmo)[1]. Thus, the use of “le” as a masculine direct object was not typical in the Canarian variety, which followed the etymological norm.
However, according to the author in 1987, this situation began to change. Álvarez Martínez states that “zonas, como nuestras Islas Canarias, que hasta hace pocos años mantenían intacto el sistema etimológico, tienden a manifestar cada vez más el empleo del leísmo de persona masculino singular, y también el plural” (areas like our Canary Islands, which until recently maintained the etymological system intact, increasingly show the use of leísmo for masculine singular and plural persons)[1]. Examples such as “a Juan lo acompañaron a su casa ayer” are now alternating with “a Juan le acompañaron a su casa ayer” in everyday speech.
Among the causes for this advance of leísmo, the author highlights the influence of the media, especially radio and television, which have changed Canarian linguistic habits in a short time[1]. She also points out the existence of a “leísmo de cortesía” (courtesy leísmo) in expressions like “a usted no le han escuchado” or “le saluda atentamente”, which was already present among older generations[1].
Another relevant factor, according to Álvarez Martínez, is the use of the preposition “a” before direct objects that are things, which can cause confusion between direct and indirect object functions and favor the spread of leísmo[1]. The author also observes that Canarians are often “passive leístas”, meaning they are not surprised by leísmo, although they systematically reject laísmo or loísmo.
She further describes how, in colloquial speech, the direct object is often omitted because it is understood, making speakers more familiar with the presence of “le” with certain verbs and reinforcing the belief that these verbs require a dative pronoun[1].
Regarding the norm, Álvarez Martínez explains that the Royal Spanish Academy accepts masculine singular leísmo for persons, but considers other types of leísmo, laísmo, and loísmo as vulgarisms. Nevertheless, the author observes that leísmo is advancing even among older speakers, who are often unaware they use it[1].
Finally, the author notes that although the etymological norm was the most widespread in the Canary Islands, the trend is for it to be progressively replaced by the Castilian norm, especially among young people, who are beginning to use constructions like “se los obliga” and “se las ve” instead of “se les obliga” and “se les ve”[1].