Colonialism, nationalism and language vitality in Azerbaijan
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John M. Clifton
Abstract
Many of the less-widely-used languages in countries that emerged from the USSR are endangered as a result of Russification. Azerbaijan is home to a dozen less-widely-used languages. Various writers have claimed that most are endangered, although the shift is to Azerbaijani, not Russian. Research conducted from 1998 to 2002, however, found that most of the languages were actively spoken in at least core areas. In this paper I examine factors that led to claims of endangerment. Analyzing the situation in terms of language ecology and its relationship to colonization, I argue that Russian, Azerbaijani, and the less-widely-used languages filled different niches and so did not compete with each other. Since independence, however, shift towards Azerbaijani has accelerated. As a result of nationalism, Azerbaijani and these languages are competing for the same niche. I propose that by expanding the domains of the less-widely-used languages, they can coexist with Azerbaijani.
Abstract
Many of the less-widely-used languages in countries that emerged from the USSR are endangered as a result of Russification. Azerbaijan is home to a dozen less-widely-used languages. Various writers have claimed that most are endangered, although the shift is to Azerbaijani, not Russian. Research conducted from 1998 to 2002, however, found that most of the languages were actively spoken in at least core areas. In this paper I examine factors that led to claims of endangerment. Analyzing the situation in terms of language ecology and its relationship to colonization, I argue that Russian, Azerbaijani, and the less-widely-used languages filled different niches and so did not compete with each other. Since independence, however, shift towards Azerbaijani has accelerated. As a result of nationalism, Azerbaijani and these languages are competing for the same niche. I propose that by expanding the domains of the less-widely-used languages, they can coexist with Azerbaijani.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Dedication vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction xi
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Part I. Language Endangerment: Challenges and Responses
- The world’s languages in crisis 3
- What can revitalization work teach us about documentation? 21
- Unanswered questions in language documentation and revitalization 43
- Training as empowering social action 59
- How to avoid pitfalls in documenting endangered languages 79
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Part II. Case Studies in Documentation and Revitalization of Endangered Languages and Languages in Contact
- Converb and aspect-marking polysemy in Nar 97
- Grammatical relations in Mixe and Chimariko 119
- Having a shinshii/shiishii ‘master’ around makes you speak Japanese! 141
- Internal and external calls to immigrant language promotion 157
- Code-switching in an Erzya–Russian bilingual variety 175
- Colonialism, nationalism and language vitality in Azerbaijan 197
- Revitalizing languages through place-based language curriculum 221
- Remembering ancestral voices 243
- Index 271
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Dedication vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction xi
-
Part I. Language Endangerment: Challenges and Responses
- The world’s languages in crisis 3
- What can revitalization work teach us about documentation? 21
- Unanswered questions in language documentation and revitalization 43
- Training as empowering social action 59
- How to avoid pitfalls in documenting endangered languages 79
-
Part II. Case Studies in Documentation and Revitalization of Endangered Languages and Languages in Contact
- Converb and aspect-marking polysemy in Nar 97
- Grammatical relations in Mixe and Chimariko 119
- Having a shinshii/shiishii ‘master’ around makes you speak Japanese! 141
- Internal and external calls to immigrant language promotion 157
- Code-switching in an Erzya–Russian bilingual variety 175
- Colonialism, nationalism and language vitality in Azerbaijan 197
- Revitalizing languages through place-based language curriculum 221
- Remembering ancestral voices 243
- Index 271
