Turkey is a country with diverse immigrants and, consequently, diverse languages. However, many of its languages are starting to die out, and some people criticize Turkey for not saving them before it’s too late. On the other hand, some Turkish people are not fond of the different dialects or languages in the country and see them as “a threat to the integrity of the nation state.”
The language of Laz is given as an example in the article of a language that is spoken in the mountains and is just now being rediscovered. However, many children do not speak Laz anymore and are instead learning Turkish. They say that the Turkish language is “perceived as the language of commercial success and modernity.” Younger generations are only exposed to Turkish, even in the classroom where teachers must stick to the Turkish curriculum.
The article closes with an unfortunate truth. In Turkey, people who speak Laz were humiliated in the past and have been looked down upon because of their language. Now the challenge is for people to start accepting and embracing their language again to ensure its survival.
The full article is here.
This YouTube video shows footage of Northeast Turkey. Laz has no relation to Turkish and does not sound like Turkish. There are fourteen other language in Turkey that are currently endangered. When asked, the speakers said Laz is spoken fluently today but younger generations are not speaking it, and that worries them. Language and cultures in Turkey have become more and more assimilated, so Laz has become less and less prominent. The first Laz dictionary was created recently so that the language will not be completely lost. Other publications have been brought to court on the basis that it spread “separatist propoganda.” Laz is not allowed to be taught in schools nor are Laz schools publically funded. Laz television cannot be funded either, although other languages are.
This case brings up a lot interesting ideas. First, it is hard for me to understand how people can be ashamed of the language they speak. I know this is because my first language is English, so I have never experienced shame or humiliation for speaking it. But I find it so unfortunate that other cultures are able to dictate which languages will be prominent and which should be wiped out. When I relate this to America, however, we are probably doing the same thing without realizing the effects English has on other languages. America is not as strict as Turkey seems to be, for we do not have an official language, and we encourage bilingual education for the most part. But what can people do that live in places that suppress languages? Is it possible for a small group of native speakers to fight against a strong government? The government is actively trying to stop the spread of Laz and is at the same time destroying a culture. Hopefully the Laz can embrace their language before they lose more of their speakers. But if not, their language as well as the fourteen others, will be assimilated into Turkish, and the Laz may lose their identity.
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