Although every person holds attitudes toward and perceptions of languages, the languageattitudes of second language (L2) learners are of particular interest because they can affect the
acquisition of the target language (TL). The present study concerns L2 Spanish learners’
attitudes toward four Spanish varieties, Argentinian, Caribbean, Mexican, and Peninsular
Spanish, measured in a verbal guise task. The literature review reveals three key factors that have
been found to influence L2 learners’ language attitudes: (1) themes of identity, (2) contact with
the TL, and (3) perceptions of the “standard” TL. Results from the present study show that
Mexican Spanish was rated highest in all judgments (solidarity, prestige, and comprehensibility)
by the US university L2 Spanish learners who participated in the verbal guise task, and high
levels of proficiency correlated with more positive language attitudes toward the Spanish
varieties. Time using the TL did not sufficiently account for participants’ language attitudes.
