The system of pronouns of address in Spanish is one of the most complex aspects due to diverse regional variations. The vosotros/as form used in most regions of Spain is not used throughout Latin America. Additionally, vos, which has disappeared in Spain, serves as a significant pronoun of address in many regions of Latin America, highlighting a distinctive feature of Latin American Spanish. he consolidation of the VOSEO phenomenon in Latin America and the replacement by tú are closely tied to the establishment and history of colonial viceroys. The extent of economic, political, and cultural contact with the colonial country during the colonial era was crucial. Countries like Mexico and Peru, where viceroys were established early and maintained close ties with Spain, adopted the Spanish pronoun system with tú. In contrast, other regions, which were established later or had less close ties with the colonial country, continued to use vos as the singular second-person pronoun.
Spain
Regions in Latin America where the VOSEO phenomenon is not used
Regions in Latin America where the VOSEO phenomenon is used
Some regions in Latin America where the VOSEO phenomenon is used
This system is used in Latin American countries such as Mexico and Colombia where VOSEO is not prevalent. tú is used instead of vos, but vosotros/as is replaced by ustedes.
This system is used in countries like Argentina, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Honduras, etc., where VOSEO replaces tú with vos and vosotros/as with ustedes.
This form is unique among Spanish pronouns of address systems for its contrast between informal (tú) and formal/plural (usted, vosotros/as) contexts.
This form is used in countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Uruguay, Chile, etc. tú is used for less formal contexts, vos for more intimate contexts, and usted for formal contexts. tú serves as an intermediary between usted and vos.