Narratives of the interruption of intergenerational transmission of Totonac language

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the oral narratives of Totonac individuals who were not taught the Totonac language. Thirteen people were interviewed, ten of whom are from the municipality of Jonotla, Puebla, while the remainder reside in the city of Puebla and in the State of Mexico. Through their narratives addressing the interruption of intergenerational transmission of the Totonac language, we give voice to those who were deprived of learning it, in order to better understand their perceptions and feelings. Using a sociology of language approach, structured interviews provide a platform for those whose opportunity to acquire Totonac was curtailed. The findings reveal that, while some participants have normalized the decline of Totonac, others experience conflict in their inability to connect with their cultural identity. These narratives reflect boarder pin highlight issues of discrimination and linguistic prejudice.

Keywords: Totonac, linguistic prejudice, linguistic discrimination, disruption of intergenerational transmission, sociology of language.