https://www.expressions-riiclas.com/318 Entrées d’index fr 0 https://www.expressions-riiclas.com/316 This article analyzes the historic opportunity offered by the governmental commitment to recognize the languages of Mayotte — Shimaore and Kibushi — within the framework of the European Charter for Regional Languages. The authors expose the current sociolinguistic situation of diglossia: French (the official language of instruction and social promotion) holds the high-status position, despite being mastered by a minority, while the local languages (the mother tongues of over 90% of the population) are minoritized, excluded from school, and restricted to orality. This hierarchy generates identity malaise, linguistic insecurity, and subtractive bilingualism, which contribute to academic failure. To counter these difficulties and support the establishment of balanced bilingualism, the text stresses the urgent need for the transcription of local languages (facilitated by the adoption of an official alphabet in 1997) and their integration into the educational system for literacy. It advocates for an exclusive introduction of local languages in the first year of kindergarten, a progressive introduction of French, and optional local language instruction in middle school. Finally, the objective is to ensure the safeguarding of Mahoran oral culture and to provide elected officials with legal and political tools to promote these languages. mar., 24 févr. 2026 08:07:50 +0100 mar., 24 févr. 2026 08:08:45 +0100 https://www.expressions-riiclas.com/316