Diglossia and linguistic displacement of the Yoreme-Mayo language in northern Sinaloa

Abstract

This study addresses the linguistic shift experienced by the Yoreme Mayo language (Yoremnokki) in the Yoreme communities of northern Sinaloa, resulting from the interaction between groups with diverse cultural and linguistic practices, where Spanish has predominated for centuries, inhibiting the use of the Yoreme people's own language. This work aims to analyze the sociocultural influences that have led to linguistic shift in Yoreme Mayo families in the community of Vinaterías, El Fuerte, Sinaloa. The research employs a qualitative approach, oriented towards a deep understanding of social phenomena based on the meanings that people attribute to their experiences. Data collection was carried out through fieldwork, in which a semi-structured interview was conducted with four Yoreme Mayo families, recording the testimonies of the social actors. The results distinguish six categories: linguistic shift in the community of Vinaterías; ethnic identity; Teaching Yoremnokki; language transmission; motivation to learn the language; and the usefulness of using the language.