Textual distribution of the nonphoric third-person plural in Spanish

Abstract In this study, we propose an analysis of the Spanish nonphoric third-person plural based on cognitive prototype theory, which identifies the prototypical construction and five periphericals according to the gradual defocusing of the agent. This is determined by the presence of agreement morphemes or clitics and the temporal aspect of the verb. The paper focuses on the social distribution of nonphoric third-person variants across diverse kinds of texts, participants and their sex/gender. The conclusions indicate that the prototypical variant is primarily used in written texts, especially in those where the pragmatic effect of a non-existing participant is beneficial. As constructions move further away from the prototype, their use increases in interational texts, such as social media. The prototypical structure is commonly used by journalists, but it is also employed by particular speakers, especially those involved in social media and Internet-based texts, like blogs. Regarding sex/gender, it proves to be a determinant factor to some extent.