Female Bilingualism in Conte Burica

Abstract


 
 
 This article analyzes the situation of bilingualism of Guaymí women residing in the indigenous territory of Conte Burica, Costa Rica. The data obtained shed light on the types of individual Spanish-Guaymí bilingualism in the region, as well as on the use of Spanish and Guaymí in different communicative fields. Guaymí was found to have been present in all stages of their lives, whereas Spanish has been introduced as their contact with Hispanics has expanded. Although this is an exploratory study of the phenomenon, it outlines essential aspects to be considered in future studies.