https://doi.org/10.36719/2706-6185/43/17-24
Gulu Maharramli
Baku State University
Doctor of Philology
meherremli@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8104-8588
Exploring the Common Language Problem in the Turkic World
Abstract
The emergence of the "Turkish" factor in the new world order at the beginning of the 21st century, alongside new political and economic realities, has brought to the forefront the issue of a "common language" for easier communication. This has led to the increasing relevance of the idea of "creating a common Turkish language," which, while attractive in theory, is still a topic of debate. The core of the issue lies in the fact that approximately 180 million people of Turkish descent, living in countries with diverse languages, religions, and political systems across various geographies, should be able to communicate effectively in a shared language. The Chuvash, Gagauz, Yakut, Karaim, Tatar, Uyghur, and other Turkic-speaking communities should not only be able to converse in this language but also write in the same way, using a unified alphabet. While the realization of this idea could bring significant cultural and humanitarian benefits, many questions arise, such as "How will this process unfold?", "Is it possible?", and "Is it realistic?" Moreover, questions like "When and how will this new common language be created?" and "Has there been a historical precedent for creating a shared language for peoples of the same origin?" remain highly relevant today.
This article explores these questions from historical and social perspectives, examining the essence of the problem and the various approaches to addressing it. The resolution of the common language issue among related linguistic groups is also discussed in the context of historical experiences.
Keywords: mother tongue, literary language, lexical layer, linguistics, common language, common Turkish