“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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Destekleyen Kurum

TÜBİTAK

Proje Numarası

TÜBİTAK 3501 Kariyer Geliştirme Programı kapsamında 221K226 numaralı proje desteği

Teşekkür

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.

Kaynakça

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Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Dil Belgeleme ve Açıklama , Toplumsal Dilbilim

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yazarlar

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

Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek
0000-0002-5234-7546
Türkiye

Gülay Akın
0000-0001-6272-423X
Türkiye

Yayımlanma Tarihi

27 Ocak 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

18 Kasım 2024

Kabul Tarihi

14 Ekim 2025

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2025 Cilt: 36 Sayı: 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

Kaynak Göster

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