The Sociolinguistic Situation of the Lezgi in Azerbaijan
The Sociolinguistic Situation of the Lezgi in Azerbaijan John M Clifton, Laura Lucht, Gabriela Deckinga, Janfer Mak, and Calvin Tiessen SIL International 2005 2 Contents Abstract 1. Background 2. Methodology 3. Results 3.1 Lezgi Locations 3.2 Language Proficiency and Language Use 3.2.1 Lezgi language proficiency and language use 3.2.2 Azerbaijani language proficiency and language use 3.2.3 Russian language proficiency and language use 3.2.4 Education 3.2.5 Summary profile of language proficiency and language use 3.3 Language Attitudes 3.3.1 Perceived benefit 3.3.2 Language attitudes among Baku Lezgis 4. Discussion 4.1 Demographic Patterns and Language Proficiency 5. Conclusion Appendix: Comprehensive Charts Bibliography 3 Abstract This paper presents the results of sociolinguistic research conducted in July 1999 and the spring of 2001 among the Lezgi people living northeastern Azerbaijan. The goals of the research were to investigate patterns of language use, bilingualism, and language attitudes with regard to the Lezgi, Russian, and Azerbaijani languages in the Lezgi community. Of particular interest is the overall vitality of the Lezgi language even among Lezgi living in multiethnic urban areas, in spite of variations in language use patterns observed between regions. Interviews, observations, and questionnaires were employed. An important part of the interviews dealt with perceived benefits of the various languages.* 1. Background The Lezgi language belongs to the Dagestani group of Northeastern Caucasian languages. Two main dialect groups (Kjurinski and Samurski) are found in Dagestan, while a third dialect is spoken in the Qusar, Quba, and Xaçmaz districts in the northeastern part of Azerbaijan.
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