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| Samad Pourmusavi |
In an interview with Voice of America, researcher Samad Pourmusavi discussed the restrictions and limitations on the Turkish language in Iran, the struggles against these limitations, and the reactions to them. Pourmusavi emphasized that in Iranian Azerbaijan, particularly among intellectuals, there is a lack of attention to the Turkish language.
He highlighted how the status of languages in Iran affects the people who speak them and their social-political status: "Unofficial languages have no status. But Persian is referred to as both the official and national language. Through these unofficial languages, one cannot attain any social or political position."
Pourmusavi also pointed out two phenomena related to language policy in Iran: "One is 'linguistic imperialism,' which refers to the transfer of a dominant language to others. The second term is 'linguistic genocide,' which is applied to nations under pressure for integration. In such cases, the use of other languages is restricted, their teaching is banned, and those working in the field of language are legally persecuted and punished. We are facing such a situation in Iran."
Pourmusavi categorizes the reactions to the restrictions and bans on the Turkish language into three groups: the people, activists, and intellectuals. He particularly highlights the indifference of the intellectuals to the issue.
He explained that the language struggle can be examined on different levels. "We can look at the reactions of activists, the people, and the cultural figures, intellectuals who write and speak. From the perspective of the people, they are likely to strive for integration and to align with the power and economy behind the official language. But activists are people who have recognized language rights and are sensitive to these issues. They pay the price to protect the language. There has been resistance for a long time. On the other hand, there are cultural figures who engage in cultural activities. Their role is significant. However, in my view, our intellectuals are unable to lead the resistance in the field of language. Historically, we have not been a people sensitive to our own language, especially among our writers."
Pourmusavi emphasizes that the intellectual class in Iranian Azerbaijan prefers writing and creating in Persian rather than protecting the Turkish language.
"Among our intellectuals, there has been very little sensitivity to the language issue throughout history. They have always been ahead of the people in neglecting their own language. Intellectuals and writers voluntarily shifted to writing in other languages. In fact, this has become a cultural norm among intellectuals. Writing in another language is often seen as a sign of sophistication. By writing in Persian, they limit intellectual life in the Turkish language... [However], intellectuals should educate the people. They should understand the importance of the language and convey it to the public. How does language affect our lives? How does language deprivation affect our lives? What would we lose if our language disappears?" the researcher asked.
Pourmusavi also pointed out that the character of the Turkish language in Iranian Azerbaijan is changing, and this could result in the language’s extinction over time.
"I think Turkish in South Azerbaijan is in the most dangerous situation. But the Turks are unaware of it. We don’t see it clearly. Because we live in a very different time, and we can't perceive that, in this rapidly changing world, our language is also at risk of disappearing. Where do I see this? The influence of language is in our myths, prayers, ceremonies, daily conversations, grammar, sounds, throat sounds, behaviors, and emotions. These are changing. I see that these are changing. I even see that our people are reading Turkish poetry in the style of Persian. Some languages disappear very quickly, while others disappear over a long process. We are from the second group. Our language is slowly disappearing, so we are not fully aware of it," the researcher added.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Səməd Purmusəvi: İran Azərbaycanında türk dili təhlükə altındadır və biz bunun fərqində deyilik