Associated language: Pura vida in Costa Rica

Abstract

A multi-tiered theoretical framework that embraces ideas from pragmatics and interactional sociolinguistics is used to explain the various uses of pura vida in Costa Rican Spanish. Although there are numerous elements that comprise the associated language of Costa Rica, pura vida offers users a prime way of establishing claims to Costa Rican identity and allows them to express much of what is associated with in- group membership..