“May our language not perish. Our language is our memory.”: A mixed-methods investigation of the ethnolinguistic vitality of Laz

Mehmet Akkuş; Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek; Gülay Akın

doi:10.18492/dad.1587071

EN TR

“May our language not perish. Our language is our memory.”: A mixed-methods investigation of the ethnolinguistic vitality of Laz

Abstract

This study explores the contemporary status of Laz, an endangered South Caucasian language, exploring factors shaping its vitality within the ethnolinguistic vitality framework. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research utilizes questionnaires and interviews within Laz-speaking communities. While the questionnaires (n=259) probed vitality-related aspects, the interviews (n=5) offered narrative data, essential for understanding lived experiences and perceptions of the community. Bridging a crucial gap in research by encompassing socio-cultural and demographic dimensions, the study reveals diverse influences on the visibility of Laz. This innovative approach contributes significantly to the broader field, offering a holistic exploration of ethnolinguistic vitality. Findings expose variations shaped by linguistic, cultural, and social dynamics. The quantitative data unveil statistically significant mean disparities in the perceptions of vitality held by the speakers towards their heritage language. The qualitative analysis, focusing on generational tensions, societal adaptations, and language use, underscores the resilience and challenges faced by the Laz.

Keywords

“Dilimiz yok olmasın. Dilimiz hafızamızdır.”: Lazcanın etnodilbilimsel canlılığı üzerine karma yöntemli bir inceleme

Abstract

Bu çalışma, tehlike altındaki bir Güney Kafkas dili olan Lazcanın çağdaş durumunu ve etnodilbilimsel canlılık kuramı çerçevesi bağlamında bu canlılığı şekillendiren etkenleri incelemektedir. Karma yöntemli bir yaklaşım benimsenerek, Lazca konuşan topluluklarda anketler ve görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Anketler (n=259) dil canlılığıyla ilgili unsurları incelerken, görüşmeler (n=5) topluluğun yaşanmış deneyimlerini ve algılarını anlamak için anlatısal veriler sunmuştur. Sosyokültürel ve demografik boyutları kapsayarak bu alandaki önemli bir boşluğu doldurmayı amaçlayan bu çalışma, Lazcanın görünürlüğü üzerinde etkili olan çeşitli unsurları ortaya koymaktadır. Elde edilen bulgular, dilsel, kültürel ve toplumsal dinamiklerin şekillendirdiği farklılıkları gözler önüne sermektedir. Nicel veriler, konuşurların miras dillerine yönelik canlılık algılarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ortalama farklılıklar olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Nitel çözümlemeler ise kuşaklar arası gerilimler, toplumsal uyum süreçleri ve dil kullanımı üzerine odaklanarak Lazcanın karşı karşıya olduğu direnç ve zorlukları vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

TÜBİTAK 3501 Kariyer Geliştirme Programı kapsamında 221K226 numaralı proje desteği

Thanks

Bu makaleden elde edilen bulgular, TÜBİTAK 3501 Kariyer Geliştirme Programı kapsamında 221K226 numaralı proje desteğiyle gerçekleştirilmiş olan alan araştırmaları sayesinde üretilmiştir. Yürütücüsü olduğum bu proje için TÜBİTAK'a teşekkür ederim.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Language Documentation and Description, Sociolinguistics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mehmet Akkuş ^*
0000-0002-9604-1418
Türkiye

Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek
0000-0002-5234-7546
Türkiye

Gülay Akın
0000-0001-6272-423X
Türkiye

Publication Date

January 27, 2026

Submission Date

November 18, 2024

Acceptance Date

October 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 36 Number: 3 - Türkiye'de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18492/dad.1587071

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA58PJ82UE

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Akkuş, M., Sağın Şimşek, Ç., & Akın, G. (2026). “May our language not perish. Our language is our memory.”: A mixed-methods investigation of the ethnolinguistic vitality of Laz. Dilbilim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 36(3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek), 381-412. https://doi.org/10.18492/dad.1587071

AMA

1.Akkuş M, Sağın Şimşek Ç, Akın G. “May our language not perish. Our language is our memory.”: A mixed-methods investigation of the ethnolinguistic vitality of Laz. JLR. 2026;36(3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek):381-412. doi:10.18492/dad.1587071

Chicago

Akkuş, Mehmet, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek, and Gülay Akın. 2026. “‘May Our Language Not Perish. Our Language Is Our Memory.’: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Ethnolinguistic Vitality of Laz”. Dilbilim Araştırmaları Dergisi 36 (3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek): 381-412. https://doi.org/10.18492/dad.1587071.

EndNote

Akkuş M, Sağın Şimşek Ç, Akın G (January 1, 2026) “May our language not perish. Our language is our memory.”: A mixed-methods investigation of the ethnolinguistic vitality of Laz. Dilbilim Araştırmaları Dergisi 36 3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) 381–412.

IEEE

[1]M. Akkuş, Ç. Sağın Şimşek, and G. Akın, “‘May our language not perish. Our language is our memory.’: A mixed-methods investigation of the ethnolinguistic vitality of Laz”, JLR, vol. 36, no. 3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek), pp. 381–412, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.18492/dad.1587071.

ISNAD

Akkuş, Mehmet - Sağın Şimşek, Çiğdem - Akın, Gülay. “‘May Our Language Not Perish. Our Language Is Our Memory.’: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Ethnolinguistic Vitality of Laz”. Dilbilim Araştırmaları Dergisi 36/3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) (January 1, 2026): 381-412. https://doi.org/10.18492/dad.1587071.

JAMA

1.Akkuş M, Sağın Şimşek Ç, Akın G. “May our language not perish. Our language is our memory.”: A mixed-methods investigation of the ethnolinguistic vitality of Laz. JLR. 2026;36:381–412.

MLA

Akkuş, Mehmet, et al. “‘May Our Language Not Perish. Our Language Is Our Memory.’: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Ethnolinguistic Vitality of Laz”. Dilbilim Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 36, no. 3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek), Jan. 2026, pp. 381-12, doi:10.18492/dad.1587071.

Vancouver

1.Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek, Gülay Akın. “May our language not perish. Our language is our memory.”: A mixed-methods investigation of the ethnolinguistic vitality of Laz. JLR. 2026 Jan. 1;36(3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek):381-412. doi:10.18492/dad.1587071