"YEISMO" IN SPANISH PRONUNCIATION

 

Pronouncing the ll sound as y, saying "cabayo"  instead of caballo, or "yeno" instead of lleno, is called "yeísmo."  It is widespread in large areas of Spain and the Americas,  and it is practically universal among young people. I am not young, but I have been "yeísta" all my life and I make no phonetical distinction between pollo and poyo. This is a phonetical loss, of course, and a pity because it makes comprehension difficult. Cayó and calló; rallar and rayar; nos hayamos and nos hallamos, for example, are pronounced the same way by "yeistas." It is accepted, nevertheless, in educated Spanish.