Linguistic Diversity in Azerbaijan: Present State and Future Challenges, 2023
Azerbaijan lies in an extremely propitious position between the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea, and... more Azerbaijan lies in an extremely propitious position between the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea, and has always been an important stop along the Silk Road, and a melting pot of languages and cultures. Many ethnic, religious and linguistic groups passing through or settling in the territories of present-day Azerbaijan historically came into contact with local communities, hence contributing to this linguistic mosaic. Investigating languages of Azerbaijan is interesting and important not only from the linguistic point of view. It also bears a sociocultural value in that it can offer a new perspective on studying these languages from the standpoint of their vitality and maintenance. This volume offers new data and highly valuable insights into various linguistic and sociolinguistic aspects of the East Caucasian, South Caucasian as well as the Iranian varieties spoken in Azerbaijan. With this publication, we hope to set in motion more linguistic activities and research initiatives on the different varieties forming Azerbaijan's languages treasure, including Azerbaijanian dialects-many of which display highly interesting features due to contact with the languages presented in this volume. (Jala Garibova & Elisabetta Ragagnin)
Cet article traite des difficultés de la créativité terminologique rencontrées dans les sociétés ... more Cet article traite des difficultés de la créativité terminologique rencontrées dans les sociétés en transition, notamment en Azerbaïdjan. Une place particulière est accordée à l'analyse des causes et des sources de difficultés dans la compréhension des nouveaux concepts. Le rôle des interprètes et des produits de traductions dans la traduction de nouveaux types de textes ont également été soulignés ici.
tehlikedeki Diller Dergisi/Journal of Endangered Languages, 2023
In this paper we examine some major sociolinguistic factors endangering the sustained vitality of... more In this paper we examine some major sociolinguistic factors endangering the sustained vitality of Khinalug, one of the indigenous languages of Azerbaijan. Khinalug is spoken by a small isolated community whose members are keen to preserve their language. The community's positive attitude towards the native language is definitely important in terms of promoting language maintenance. Nevertheless, certain factors in the linguistic ecology of the speech community may potentially trigger tendencies of language replacement, especially among young community members. In particular, economic and social benefits that the state language provides may encourage shifts from balanced to subtractive bilingualism with Azerbaijani dominating not only in formal but also in informal domains. Along with discussing such major factors endangering the vitality of Khinalug, this paper also proposes some measures for preventing shift to Azerbaijani, and, consequently, the potential irrevocable loss of the Khinalug language.
The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediately after... more The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediately after the downfall of the Soviet Union, resulting in the increased emigration of Azerbaijanis to foreign countries, in particular to Turkey, where the language barrier is minimal due to linguistic proximity. This article is an attempt to investigate the dynamics of identity production (and, consequently, senses of belonging) of the most recent generations of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey in relationship to their linguistic and cultural repertoires. While language and culture are key factors in identity production, linguistic and cultural practices may be influenced by various social factors. I have therefore tried to examine the identity paradigms of Azerbaijanis living in Turkey in the frameworks of their ethno-national, socio-cultural, and socio-communicative perceptions. The survey I conducted for this purpose mostly covers post-Soviet immigrants to Turkey and, to a lesser extent, ear...
http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/43_folder/43_articles/43_names.html Names are the D... more http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/43_folder/43_articles/43_names.html Names are the DNA of the social organism we call community. One tiny strand of letters carries an incredible amount of vital information in terms of a person's social heredity. From a single word, it is often possible to determine a person's gender, education level, social and economic status, language, religious preference, sense of aesthetics and values, political inclinations, nationality, age (in terms of historic period), and sometimes even birth sequence.
This paper examines the policy and legislative framework for the regulation of language in Azerba... more This paper examines the policy and legislative framework for the regulation of language in Azerbaijan. During the Soviet period, language issues were addressed in the Constitution. Post-independence language revival initiatives promoted laws, high status decrees, and official regulations, particularly in the sphere of status-building. The authors analyze post-Soviet language policy and language legislation from the perspective of both national and minority languages. To illuminate the ways in which language strategies are developed, laws covering various domains are examined and evaluated as reflections of the country’s political priorities, socio-economic tendencies and international relations. This paper also discusses the subject of policy implementation. Although the term “Azerbaijan” refers, mostly in popular parlance, also to the northern part of Iran (“South Azerbaijan”) populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis, in this paper the term will be used in reference to the post-Soviet Repu...
Europäische Personennamensysteme. Ein Handbuch for Abasisich bis Zentralladinish. Herausgegeben von Andrea Brendler and Silvio Brendler. Hamburg: Baar-Verlag, 2007. Pp. 67-78, 2007
Abstract
The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediat... more Abstract The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediately after the downfall of the Soviet Union, resulting in the increased emigration of Azerbaijanis to foreign countries, in particular to Turkey, where the language barrier is minimal due to linguistic proximity. This article is an attempt to investigate the dynamics of identity production (and, consequently, senses of belonging) of the most recent generations of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey in relationship to their linguistic and cultural repertoires. While language and culture are key factors in identity production, linguistic and cultural practices may be influenced by various social factors. I have therefore tried to examine the identity paradigms of Azerbaijanis living in Turkey in the frameworks of their ethno-national, socio-cultural, and socio-communicative perceptions. The survey I conducted for this purpose mostly covers post-Soviet immigrants to Turkey and, to a lesser extent, earlier generations of Azerbaijanis who settled in Turkey during Soviet times.
Uluslararası Erken Çocukluk Eğitimi Çalışmaları Dergisi, 2016
Cocuk yonelimli konusmanin, dil gelisimi uzerinde hizlandirici ya da yavaslatici etkisi bulunmakt... more Cocuk yonelimli konusmanin, dil gelisimi uzerinde hizlandirici ya da yavaslatici etkisi bulunmaktadir. Farkli dillerdeki guncel arastirmalar, „ne kadar etkilesim, o kadar edinim‟ modelinin yeniden gozden gecirilmesine ihtiyac olduguna isaret etmektedir. Ayni zamanda, sozcuk dagarcigi ve sozce uzunlugu ortalamasi gibi yapisal-dilsel olcutler, cocugun iletisim yeterliliginin sadece bir yonudur. Dil yeterliligi icin edim bilgisi ve karsilikli konusma ile ilgili diger beceriler de gereklidir. Mevcut calisma, karsilikli konusma ve sosyolojik edim bilgisi ile ilgili soylem stratejilerin cocuklardaki gelisimini, islevsel bir perspektiften ele almaktadir. Bilhassa ebeveyn etkisine odaklanarak, cocugun karsilikli konusma becerilerinin gelisiminde annenin rolunu, soru-cevap olusturma, olumlu ve olumsuz pekistiren, siklik etkisi ve konusmanin uzunlugu faktorlerini dikkate alarak yakindan incelemekteyiz. Bu arastirma, zorlu iletisim ortami (uzun suren karsilikli konusmalar, ebeveynin baslattigi...
Azerbaijanis say, "The tip of the pen, power of the sword," to express the authority and persuasi... more Azerbaijanis say, "The tip of the pen, power of the sword," to express the authority and persuasiveness of the written word. It's a perfect description for "Molla Nasraddin," the eight-page weekly, which became one of the most influential publications in the history of Azerbaijan and which had a profound effect on shaping intellectual thought and movement of the early 20th century. Even today its impact is still felt in the region-especially in the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran.
In 1926, Baku hosted the First Turkology Congress, which brought together representatives from Tu... more In 1926, Baku hosted the First Turkology Congress, which brought together representatives from Turkey and the Turkic-speaking republics of the Soviet Union [Turkmen, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Azerbaijanis and Tatars]. Representatives from "minor" Turkic-speaking groups living inside Russia were also invited, including the Chuvashis, Sakhas (Yakuts), Khakases and Balkars. The main question on everyone's mind was: Should we reform the Arabic script so that it more fully expresses the phonology of the Turkic languages, or should we adopt a completely new script - a modified Latin script? And can we decide upon a single unified alphabet that all of us can use? A heated debate followed for eight days - February 26 to March 5. Fortunately, a stenographic transcription of the Congress still exists, enabling us to understand the intensity of some of the arguments between the Arabists and Latinists.
Azerbaijan, one of the six Muslim and five Turkic-speaking sovereign republics of the Soviet Unio... more Azerbaijan, one of the six Muslim and five Turkic-speaking sovereign republics of the Soviet Union, gained independence in 1991. As for all Soviet republics, to one or another degree, independence was partly (and implicitly) initiated by processes that were already underway in late 1980’s, especially through the implementation of the policies of glasnost and perestroika.
A close review of nearly three decades of Azerbaijan’s post-independence development shows three main strategies of identity reconstruction: policy formulation and legislation, construction of symbolic and discursive resources, and social engagement. These strategies, in turn, have produced three different modes of expressing identity within society, which I regard, respectively, as adaptive, perceptive, and agentive. The first two strategies were more characteristic of the first two decades after independence, while the third one gained more salience during the third decade of independence. I therefore consider the identity construction strategies of the third decade separately from the policies of 1991-2010.
Linguistic Diversity in Azerbaijan: Present State and Future Challenges, 2023
Azerbaijan lies in an extremely propitious position between the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea, and... more Azerbaijan lies in an extremely propitious position between the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea, and has always been an important stop along the Silk Road, and a melting pot of languages and cultures. Many ethnic, religious and linguistic groups passing through or settling in the territories of present-day Azerbaijan historically came into contact with local communities, hence contributing to this linguistic mosaic. Investigating languages of Azerbaijan is interesting and important not only from the linguistic point of view. It also bears a sociocultural value in that it can offer a new perspective on studying these languages from the standpoint of their vitality and maintenance. This volume offers new data and highly valuable insights into various linguistic and sociolinguistic aspects of the East Caucasian, South Caucasian as well as the Iranian varieties spoken in Azerbaijan. With this publication, we hope to set in motion more linguistic activities and research initiatives on the different varieties forming Azerbaijan's languages treasure, including Azerbaijanian dialects-many of which display highly interesting features due to contact with the languages presented in this volume. (Jala Garibova & Elisabetta Ragagnin)
Cet article traite des difficultés de la créativité terminologique rencontrées dans les sociétés ... more Cet article traite des difficultés de la créativité terminologique rencontrées dans les sociétés en transition, notamment en Azerbaïdjan. Une place particulière est accordée à l'analyse des causes et des sources de difficultés dans la compréhension des nouveaux concepts. Le rôle des interprètes et des produits de traductions dans la traduction de nouveaux types de textes ont également été soulignés ici.
tehlikedeki Diller Dergisi/Journal of Endangered Languages, 2023
In this paper we examine some major sociolinguistic factors endangering the sustained vitality of... more In this paper we examine some major sociolinguistic factors endangering the sustained vitality of Khinalug, one of the indigenous languages of Azerbaijan. Khinalug is spoken by a small isolated community whose members are keen to preserve their language. The community's positive attitude towards the native language is definitely important in terms of promoting language maintenance. Nevertheless, certain factors in the linguistic ecology of the speech community may potentially trigger tendencies of language replacement, especially among young community members. In particular, economic and social benefits that the state language provides may encourage shifts from balanced to subtractive bilingualism with Azerbaijani dominating not only in formal but also in informal domains. Along with discussing such major factors endangering the vitality of Khinalug, this paper also proposes some measures for preventing shift to Azerbaijani, and, consequently, the potential irrevocable loss of the Khinalug language.
The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediately after... more The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediately after the downfall of the Soviet Union, resulting in the increased emigration of Azerbaijanis to foreign countries, in particular to Turkey, where the language barrier is minimal due to linguistic proximity. This article is an attempt to investigate the dynamics of identity production (and, consequently, senses of belonging) of the most recent generations of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey in relationship to their linguistic and cultural repertoires. While language and culture are key factors in identity production, linguistic and cultural practices may be influenced by various social factors. I have therefore tried to examine the identity paradigms of Azerbaijanis living in Turkey in the frameworks of their ethno-national, socio-cultural, and socio-communicative perceptions. The survey I conducted for this purpose mostly covers post-Soviet immigrants to Turkey and, to a lesser extent, ear...
http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/43_folder/43_articles/43_names.html Names are the D... more http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/43_folder/43_articles/43_names.html Names are the DNA of the social organism we call community. One tiny strand of letters carries an incredible amount of vital information in terms of a person's social heredity. From a single word, it is often possible to determine a person's gender, education level, social and economic status, language, religious preference, sense of aesthetics and values, political inclinations, nationality, age (in terms of historic period), and sometimes even birth sequence.
This paper examines the policy and legislative framework for the regulation of language in Azerba... more This paper examines the policy and legislative framework for the regulation of language in Azerbaijan. During the Soviet period, language issues were addressed in the Constitution. Post-independence language revival initiatives promoted laws, high status decrees, and official regulations, particularly in the sphere of status-building. The authors analyze post-Soviet language policy and language legislation from the perspective of both national and minority languages. To illuminate the ways in which language strategies are developed, laws covering various domains are examined and evaluated as reflections of the country’s political priorities, socio-economic tendencies and international relations. This paper also discusses the subject of policy implementation. Although the term “Azerbaijan” refers, mostly in popular parlance, also to the northern part of Iran (“South Azerbaijan”) populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis, in this paper the term will be used in reference to the post-Soviet Repu...
Europäische Personennamensysteme. Ein Handbuch for Abasisich bis Zentralladinish. Herausgegeben von Andrea Brendler and Silvio Brendler. Hamburg: Baar-Verlag, 2007. Pp. 67-78, 2007
Abstract
The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediat... more Abstract The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediately after the downfall of the Soviet Union, resulting in the increased emigration of Azerbaijanis to foreign countries, in particular to Turkey, where the language barrier is minimal due to linguistic proximity. This article is an attempt to investigate the dynamics of identity production (and, consequently, senses of belonging) of the most recent generations of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey in relationship to their linguistic and cultural repertoires. While language and culture are key factors in identity production, linguistic and cultural practices may be influenced by various social factors. I have therefore tried to examine the identity paradigms of Azerbaijanis living in Turkey in the frameworks of their ethno-national, socio-cultural, and socio-communicative perceptions. The survey I conducted for this purpose mostly covers post-Soviet immigrants to Turkey and, to a lesser extent, earlier generations of Azerbaijanis who settled in Turkey during Soviet times.
Uluslararası Erken Çocukluk Eğitimi Çalışmaları Dergisi, 2016
Cocuk yonelimli konusmanin, dil gelisimi uzerinde hizlandirici ya da yavaslatici etkisi bulunmakt... more Cocuk yonelimli konusmanin, dil gelisimi uzerinde hizlandirici ya da yavaslatici etkisi bulunmaktadir. Farkli dillerdeki guncel arastirmalar, „ne kadar etkilesim, o kadar edinim‟ modelinin yeniden gozden gecirilmesine ihtiyac olduguna isaret etmektedir. Ayni zamanda, sozcuk dagarcigi ve sozce uzunlugu ortalamasi gibi yapisal-dilsel olcutler, cocugun iletisim yeterliliginin sadece bir yonudur. Dil yeterliligi icin edim bilgisi ve karsilikli konusma ile ilgili diger beceriler de gereklidir. Mevcut calisma, karsilikli konusma ve sosyolojik edim bilgisi ile ilgili soylem stratejilerin cocuklardaki gelisimini, islevsel bir perspektiften ele almaktadir. Bilhassa ebeveyn etkisine odaklanarak, cocugun karsilikli konusma becerilerinin gelisiminde annenin rolunu, soru-cevap olusturma, olumlu ve olumsuz pekistiren, siklik etkisi ve konusmanin uzunlugu faktorlerini dikkate alarak yakindan incelemekteyiz. Bu arastirma, zorlu iletisim ortami (uzun suren karsilikli konusmalar, ebeveynin baslattigi...
Azerbaijanis say, "The tip of the pen, power of the sword," to express the authority and persuasi... more Azerbaijanis say, "The tip of the pen, power of the sword," to express the authority and persuasiveness of the written word. It's a perfect description for "Molla Nasraddin," the eight-page weekly, which became one of the most influential publications in the history of Azerbaijan and which had a profound effect on shaping intellectual thought and movement of the early 20th century. Even today its impact is still felt in the region-especially in the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran.
In 1926, Baku hosted the First Turkology Congress, which brought together representatives from Tu... more In 1926, Baku hosted the First Turkology Congress, which brought together representatives from Turkey and the Turkic-speaking republics of the Soviet Union [Turkmen, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Azerbaijanis and Tatars]. Representatives from "minor" Turkic-speaking groups living inside Russia were also invited, including the Chuvashis, Sakhas (Yakuts), Khakases and Balkars. The main question on everyone's mind was: Should we reform the Arabic script so that it more fully expresses the phonology of the Turkic languages, or should we adopt a completely new script - a modified Latin script? And can we decide upon a single unified alphabet that all of us can use? A heated debate followed for eight days - February 26 to March 5. Fortunately, a stenographic transcription of the Congress still exists, enabling us to understand the intensity of some of the arguments between the Arabists and Latinists.
Azerbaijan, one of the six Muslim and five Turkic-speaking sovereign republics of the Soviet Unio... more Azerbaijan, one of the six Muslim and five Turkic-speaking sovereign republics of the Soviet Union, gained independence in 1991. As for all Soviet republics, to one or another degree, independence was partly (and implicitly) initiated by processes that were already underway in late 1980’s, especially through the implementation of the policies of glasnost and perestroika.
A close review of nearly three decades of Azerbaijan’s post-independence development shows three main strategies of identity reconstruction: policy formulation and legislation, construction of symbolic and discursive resources, and social engagement. These strategies, in turn, have produced three different modes of expressing identity within society, which I regard, respectively, as adaptive, perceptive, and agentive. The first two strategies were more characteristic of the first two decades after independence, while the third one gained more salience during the third decade of independence. I therefore consider the identity construction strategies of the third decade separately from the policies of 1991-2010.
Azerbaijan lies in an extremely propitious position between the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea, and... more Azerbaijan lies in an extremely propitious position between the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea, and has always been an important stop along the Silk Road, and a melting pot of languages and cultures. Many ethnic, religious and linguistic groups passing through or settling in the territories of present-day Azerbaijan historically came into contact with local communities, hence contributing to this linguistic mosaic. Investigating languages of Azerbaijan is interesting and important not only from the linguistic point of view. It also bears a sociocultural value in that it can offer a new perspective on studying these languages from the standpoint of their vitality and maintenance. This volume offers new data and highly valuable insights into various linguistic and sociolinguistic aspects of the East Caucasian, South Caucasian as well as the Iranian varieties spoken in Azerbaijan. With this publication, we hope to set in motion more linguistic activities and research initiatives on the different varieties forming Azerbaijan's languages treasure, including Azerbaijanian dialects-many of which display highly interesting features due to contact with the languages presented in this volume.
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Papers by jala garibova
The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediately after the downfall of the Soviet Union, resulting in the increased emigration of Azerbaijanis to foreign countries, in particular to Turkey, where the language barrier is minimal due to linguistic proximity. This article is an attempt to investigate the dynamics of identity production (and, consequently, senses of belonging) of the most recent generations of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey in relationship to their linguistic and cultural repertoires. While language and culture are key factors in identity production, linguistic and cultural practices may be influenced by various social factors. I have therefore tried to examine the identity paradigms of Azerbaijanis living in Turkey in the frameworks of their ethno-national, socio-cultural, and socio-communicative perceptions. The survey I conducted for this purpose mostly covers post-Soviet immigrants to Turkey and, to a lesser extent, earlier generations of Azerbaijanis who settled in Turkey during Soviet times.
https://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/81_folder/81_articles/81_turkology_congress.html
A close review of nearly three decades of Azerbaijan’s post-independence development shows three main strategies of identity reconstruction: policy formulation and legislation, construction of symbolic and discursive resources, and social engagement. These strategies, in turn, have produced three different modes of expressing identity within society, which I regard, respectively, as adaptive, perceptive, and agentive. The first two strategies were more characteristic of the first two decades after independence, while the third one gained more salience during the third decade of independence. I therefore consider the identity construction strategies of the third decade separately from the policies of 1991-2010.
The youngest generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey was formed almost immediately after the downfall of the Soviet Union, resulting in the increased emigration of Azerbaijanis to foreign countries, in particular to Turkey, where the language barrier is minimal due to linguistic proximity. This article is an attempt to investigate the dynamics of identity production (and, consequently, senses of belonging) of the most recent generations of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Turkey in relationship to their linguistic and cultural repertoires. While language and culture are key factors in identity production, linguistic and cultural practices may be influenced by various social factors. I have therefore tried to examine the identity paradigms of Azerbaijanis living in Turkey in the frameworks of their ethno-national, socio-cultural, and socio-communicative perceptions. The survey I conducted for this purpose mostly covers post-Soviet immigrants to Turkey and, to a lesser extent, earlier generations of Azerbaijanis who settled in Turkey during Soviet times.
https://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/81_folder/81_articles/81_turkology_congress.html
A close review of nearly three decades of Azerbaijan’s post-independence development shows three main strategies of identity reconstruction: policy formulation and legislation, construction of symbolic and discursive resources, and social engagement. These strategies, in turn, have produced three different modes of expressing identity within society, which I regard, respectively, as adaptive, perceptive, and agentive. The first two strategies were more characteristic of the first two decades after independence, while the third one gained more salience during the third decade of independence. I therefore consider the identity construction strategies of the third decade separately from the policies of 1991-2010.