Language, People, and Society: Iranian Minority Languages and Literary Traditions

 December 18, 2024

Conference Proceedings of 2023 McGill Symposium of Language Studies

Edited by:
Amir Kalan
Mahdi Ganjavi
Anisa Jafari
Lale Javanshir

The articles presented in this book are the result of a gathering of their authors at the McGill Symposium of Language Studies in the fall of 2023. At this symposium, presentors from various research disciplines came together to discuss the necessity and rationale for creating a form of language studies that, instead of focusing on linguistic structures and the history of languages, addresses the condition of language speakers; in other words, the need for a human-centered approach to language studies.

Teoman Aktan: The Demonization of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party is Part of Iran’s Policy to Exclude Turkish Identity from the Political Sphere

By Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, December 12, 2024

Teoman Aktan, political analyst

Seventy-nine years have passed since the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP), under the leadership of Seyyed Jafar Pishevari, established the short-lived Azerbaijan National Government in Tabriz.

Political analyst and activist Teoman Aktan, in an interview with Voice of America, discussed the significance of the ADP in Iran’s contemporary history and the perspectives of Iranian intellectuals and politicians on that period. In the interview, Aktan emphasized that the negative campaigns against the ADP are part of the Iranian government’s policy to marginalize Turkish identity and exclude Turks from the political arena.

The Democratic Party of Azerbaijan’s Letter to the American Consul in Tabriz

Younes Leysi-Derilou (Younes.Leysi@gmail.com) - December 12, 2024

In this article, Younes Leysi Darilou examines and publishes a letter from the head of the Social Affairs Committee of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA), signed by M. Ravandi in November 1945. The letter, written in both Persian and Azerbaijani Turkish, was addressed to the American Consul in Tabriz. It discusses issues such as oppression of rural villagers and the demands of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan to have their voices heard in international media. This declassified letter is analyzed in the article along with its relevant historical and political background.

The 79th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Azerbaijan National Government in Tabriz

By Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, December 11, 2024

Seyyed Jafar Pishevari, Founder of the Azerbaijan National Government

Seventy-nine years have passed since the Azerbaijan Democratic Party established the Azerbaijan National Government in Tabriz. Seyyed Jafar Pishevari served as the government's leader, founded on December 12, 1945 (21 Azar 1324 in the Hijri calendar).

While the 21st of Azar is commemorated in various cities of Iranian Azerbaijan as the anniversary of the establishment of the National Government, Iranian media and official Tehran present it as "the day Azerbaijan was liberated from separatist forces." Over the years, Iranian security forces have arrested numerous citizens and political activists for marking the anniversary of the National Government.

Amir Merdani: In Iranian Azerbaijan, Those Who Choose Turkish Names for Their Children Are Labeled as Pan-Turkists

 By Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, November 24, 2024

Amir Mardani, political activist

Tehran newspapers have published articles claiming that since Masoud Pezeshkian’s election as president, "pan-Turkist and separatist" activities have increased in Iranian Azerbaijan, particularly in Tabriz. The prominent Sharq newspaper featured three op-eds on the topic in its Monday issue.

In an interview with Voice of America, political activist Amir Merdani stated that Tehran seeks to mobilize various groups against the Azerbaijani National Movement by labeling them as "pan-Turkist."

Self-Sufficiency in the Struggle Between Periphery and Center: A Look at the Causes of Lake Urmia’s Drying

 Milad Balisini – Radio Zamaneh – November 22, 2024

The drying of Lake Urmia has multiple causes. Authorities often emphasize climate change, drought, lack of rainfall, illegal wells, and cropping patterns but rarely address the impact of dam construction, the Shahid Kalantari Causeway, and embankments on the lake.

The role of dams and the causeway in this crisis has been primarily highlighted by researchers and environmental activists, whereas the Ministry of Energy and other agencies typically deny it.

This report examines the impact of dams on agriculture—the largest water consumer in Iran—and subsequently explores the reasons behind Lake Urmia's drying and potential solutions for its restoration.

Reza Baraheni

Mehemmed Azadgar – November 2, 2024

Dr. Reza Baraheni

My dear friend Asad Seif asked me some time ago to write an article about Reza Barahani for Avaye Taba'id (Voice of Exile). Naturally, I agreed. But what to write and how to write it in a way that wouldn’t be repetitive, deeply occupied my mind. I considered various ideas and ultimately arrived at what you see here. The reader of this note may have encountered one or two small parts of this writing in my other works.

Vahid Qarabagli: The Label of Pan-Turkism is Used to Suppress Turkish Identity in Iran

Əlirza Quluncu (Alirza Quluncu) - October 29, 2024

Vahid Qarabağlı

In an interview with Voice of America, sociologist and political activist Vahid Qarabagli discussed the term "Pan-Turkism," frequently mentioned in Iran's political sphere recently. Qarabagli emphasized that the term is a label used to silence activists fighting for cultural rights and against discrimination in Iranian Azerbaijan.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Pledges Action on Language Rights, Lake Urmia, and Decentralization

Vahid Qarabagli
The Caspian Post
11 September 2024

Azerbaijani Turks of Iran have for years felt that Tehran has taken little notice of their specific grievances. However, with the recent election of Masoud Pezeshkian, himself having Azerbaijani roots, hopes for action are suddenly rising.

President Masoud Pezeshkian - Image: Wikimedia Commons

The people of northwestern Iran have long felt sidelined politically, but there are three particularly pressing issues that many agree need attention: the use of the Turkish language in education, the ecological catastrophe of Lake Urmia, and concerns over mining. Since his surprise election as Iran’s new President in July, Masoud Pezeshkian has made commitments to address these issues, a posture that he re-iterated in an interview with journalist Rashid Daneshjoui given in Azerbaijani Turkish on August 24th.

Behzad Jiddi: The National Movement Must Have a Long-Term Plan for Lake Urmia

By Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 24, 2024

Behzad Jiddi, Ph.D. Student

The head of the Environmental Protection Department of West Azerbaijan Province, Saeed Shahand, claimed in an interview with ISNA this week that Lake Urmia is in a desirable condition.

This year, with increased rainfall, the water level in Lake Urmia temporarily rose. However, many experts note that the situation remains critical.

In an interview with Voice of America, researcher Behzad Jiddi emphasized the importance of evaluating the lake’s condition by looking at “the average water volume over the past 10 years.”

Expert: If the State Can Reach an Agreement with Local Communities, the Situation of Lake Urmia Can Improve

By Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, July 30, 2024

Lake Urmia

Despite the temporary rise in water levels in Lake Urmia due to increased rainfall this year, the situation of the lake remains critical.

Based on images and statistical data shared by official institutions and the media, although the condition of the lake is better than it was at this time last year, the water level is still lower compared to three years ago.

Dr. Ahmad Bayburdi, an expert in environmental and natural resources, has stated that improvements in the situation of Lake Urmia can be achieved if the state reaches an agreement with the local population in the region.

The Cudgel of Censorship Surrounding Turkish Publishing

Milad Balisini – Radio Zamaneh – July 29, 2024

In this article, Milad Balsini uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the state of censorship on Turkish-language book publishing in Iran. Censorship on Turkish publications cannot be compared to censorship on Persian books; the censorship faced by Turkish publishing is inherently different from other types of censorship in Iran.

Ayaz Ibadi: One of the Goals of Our Conference Was to Strengthen Ties with Iran's Other Nations

By Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, May 14, 2024

Ayaz Ibadi, political activist

The conference titled "Azerbaijan and the Process of Shaping Sustainable Democracy," held recently at Berlin's Humboldt University, focused on issues related to Iranian Azerbaijan and the socio-political situation in Iran.

In an interview with VOA, Ayaz Ibadi, a member of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Development Center and one of the main organizers of the conference, discussed the event’s purpose, organizers, and goals. He also addressed criticisms raised by some activists regarding the conference.

Nazrin Aghamaliyeva on Hadis, AnimaFilm Festival, & Vaginismus

 

 

Leila Mekhdi - Caspian Post - 29 March 2024

The animation artist behind a successful short animation film, Hadis, talks about the struggles of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran and the censorship of taboo topics in Azerbaijan.

In May 2023, a short animation film, Hadis, was screened at the largest animation festival in the world, Annecy International Film Festival, becoming a significant event for Nazrin Aghamaliyeva for two reasons. First of all, the film was an homage to Hadis Najafi, a young Azerbaijani Turk in Iran killed during the women-led protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Secondly, it was Nazrin’s debut as a young animation artist and director. “It was like an Oscar for me,” she says.

Mirza Hasan Roshdiyyeh: The Architect of Modern Education in Iran

Vahid Qarabagli
The Caspian Post
20 March 2024

Vahid Qarabagli explores the remarkable life of Mirza Hasan Roshdiyyeh, who revolutionized Iranian education by challenging religious norms to establish modern schools and promote public mother-language-based education.

Images from mirzahassanroshdieh.com

Every year on 21 February, UNESCO commemorates International Mother Language Day, urging governments to embrace linguistic and cultural diversity. This day highlights the importance of accommodating various languages in multilingual contexts, especially within educational settings, to foster inclusive societies. 

This day also offers an opportunity to honour those who advocated for mother-tongue-based education in multilingual environments. Mirza Hasan Roshdiyyeh, a visionary educator from over a century ago, envisioned mother tongue education as a model for Iran. Despite his significant contributions, his work is often overlooked.

"Alien" Names and Undocumented Children

Milad Balisini / Asgar Akbarzadeh - Radio Zamaneh - 5 March 2024

In this article, Milad Balsini and Asgar Akbarzadeh use available data to show that there has been no change in the longstanding refusal of Iran's Civil Registration Organization to issue birth certificates for children with Turkish names.

For many years, the Civil Registration Organization has prevented the issuance of birth certificates for children whose parents choose Turkish (Türki) names, labeling these names as "foreign." Officials, however, claim there are no restrictions or prohibitions against issuing birth certificates with Turkish names, yet parents often have to navigate the bureaucratic system for weeks, sometimes years, before the Civil Registration Organization finally agrees to issue a birth certificate with a Turkish name.

Vahid Qarabagli: The Iranian state tries to border the Turkish language, keeping it at a local level

February 22, 2024 - Əlirza Quluncu (Alirza Quluncu)

Sociologist and language activist Vahid Qarabagli stated in an interview with Voice of America on International Mother Language Day that the Iranian state is trying to keep the Turkish language at a local level.

A poster was displayed at one of the Tractor football club's games in Tehran. It reads, "Open schools for Turkish education."

Qarabagli also says that the Turkish language is central to the civil struggle in Iranian Azerbaijan.

"The civil movement in Southern Azerbaijan and the movement of Turks place language at the center. Because they feel that the Turkish community and the Azerbaijan region are subjected to a form of discrimination through language."

Iranian Teachers' Union Defends "Right to Education in Mother Tongues": Continuing Monolingual Policies Is a Mistake

Voice of America - February 21, 2024

On Wednesday, February 21, the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations issued a statement on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, defending the "right to education in mother tongues." It described the "continuation of monolingual educational policies without considering the linguistic perspectives of citizens" as "unscientific, undemocratic, and entirely wrong."

Cultural Suppression: When the Government Insists on Removing Mother Tongues from Schools

By Shahrve Mehrnami - Iranwire - February 20, 2024 

The Iranian Turk Women’s Center hosted a conference in Germany titled “Linguistic Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Around 40% of Iran’s population does not speak Persian as their first language. Their mother tongue is one of Iran’s many non-Persian languages. However, from the age of seven, when they enter primary school, they are forced to learn all academic subjects in Persian. This creates a divide between their home and school lives. Experts argue that the pressure to teach in a dominant language and the avoidance of teaching or honoring minority languages harm the cultural diversity of countries like Iran. Recognizing this issue as a global concern, UNESCO designated February 21 as "International Mother Language Day" to support linguistic and cultural diversity.

This year, the Iranian Turk Women’s Center hosted a conference titled “Linguistic Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities” in Cologne, Germany, to mark the occasion. The event featured speeches by activists and researchers, including Amir Kalan, Negar Golkar, Jaleh Tabrizi, Karina Jahani, Behrouz Shojaei, Melika Zar, Reza Moridi, Hassan Afras, Shima Silavi, and Omid Aqdami.

Conference on “Linguistic Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities” Held Ahead of International Mother Language Day

Radio Zamaneh – February 20, 2024

Group photo of some of the participants from Iran's linguistically minoritized communities at the conference titled "Linguistic Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities" held in Germany.

Ahead of February 21, International Mother Language Day, a group of civil activists gathered on Saturday, February 17, 2024, for a one-day conference titled "Linguistic Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities" in Cologne, Germany. The event was hosted by the Turkish Women’s Center.

The conference aimed to address the challenges posed by Iran’s monolingualism as a multi-ethnic country, explore multilingual education systems in other countries and discuss suitable strategies for Iran considering its current ethnic context, showcase Iran’s linguistic and ethnic diversity, and create a platform for equal dialogue among all Iranian nationalities.