“My Language is Like My Mother”: Aspects of Language Attitudes in a Bilingual Farsi-Azerbaijani Context in Iran

Abstract

Abstract:The consequence of globalization in many bilingual and multilingual communities appears to be the increased endangerment of language varieties and the speeding erosion of linguistic diversity. Understanding this concern and its associated issues of language contact, conflict, and maintenance may be considerably enhanced by exploring attitudes of communities towards the language varieties they live with. In this exploratory study we investigate attitudes of a group of bilingual Farsi-Azerbaijani speakers in the Iranian city of Tabriz towards the Azerbaijani language. Based on questionnaire data and semistructured interviews, the study explores the participants' emotional attitudes towards Azerbaijani as well as their position regarding its application in some domains of language use. The study depicts the participants' positive emotions and feelings towards their local language but at the same time reveals their hesitation and reservations in approving of its use in some domains of language use, education and new media in particular. On this basis, we argue that the safe status of a language even with the magnitude of Azerbaijani in Iran cannot be taken for granted and further comprehensive and in-depth research may be needed in this regard.

Examining family language policy through realist social theory

“…Despite the Azerbaijani speakers’ general positive attitudes towards their language (Rezaei, Latifi, & Nematzadeh 2017), traces of gradual language shift to Persian in families have been observed (Mirhosseini & Abazari 2016). As Mirhosseini & Abazari's (2016) study shows, only about half of their participants consider it valuable to have Azerbaijani offered in the education system. Approximately twenty-five percent of them believe that Azerbaijani cannot help them succeed and make them proud.…”

“…Language policies of this kind have not been without their impact on Azerbaijani-speaking families. Despite the Azerbaijani speakers' general positive attitudes towards their language (Rezaei, Latifi, & Nematzadeh 2017), traces of gradual language shift to Persian in families have been observed (Mirhosseini & Abazari 2016). As Mirhosseini & Abazari's (2016) study shows, only about half of their participants consider it valuable to have Azerbaijani offered in the education system.…”