Linguistic and ethnic identity of the Yazidis

2021/05/65120-1621586180.jpg
Read: 2831     12:30     21 Май 2021    

According to UNESCO's 2003 definition of the viability of languages and the threat to their existence, half of the world's 6,000 languages may die in the next century. This means that 3,000 languages are currently under great threat of extinction. Speaking about the disappearance of languages, two types of disappearance can be defined: a language can die with its last native speaker, or languages are threatened with extinction and gradually disappear when a language shift occurs, this means that the speakers of a minority language begin to use the dominant language of the community. Today, large numbers of migrants and migrations, but also urbanization, affect the viability of minority languages – and in many cases it is difficult to get an education or a job without knowing the majority language. Thus, the majority language becomes more important, and automatically affects the viability of the minority language.

Today, in the age of globalization, the role of the Yazidi language in the formation of the linguistic and ethnic identity of the Yazidi people is more relevant than ever. The Yazidi elite, who speak about the importance of their origin, and the ordinary Yazidi people, it is important to ask the question-what is the current situation of the Yazidi language? After all, its main role is to form an identity in the life of Yazidis. The situation and peculiarities of the language situation in the Yazidi childhood are also important: is the language used in the families of the Yazidi community and is its culture transmitted to the younger generation?

Among the representatives of the Yezidi community of Armenia and Georgia, it must be admitted that there are only a small number of speakers of their native Yezidi language. Culture and language, some traditions are already on the verge of extinction.

The role of the Yazidi language is very important when talking about the national character and national culture. For the national character of the Yazidis, the role of language is directly linked to religion. The Yazidi language is the most important foundation of culture and history, through which history and culture are transmitted to the next generations. It should be noted that language is not only a way to communicate, but also holds a large part of culture and religion – language is one ethnic marker. What kind of national character can we talk about when the Yazidi youth in Armenia speaks Armenian and does not speak Yazidi?

To consider the viability of languages, UNESCO defines nine criteria by which to determine their threat or viability. The criteria include the transmission of the language to the next generation, the number of native speakers, and the number of native speakers. In this case, the areas of use, learning, culture and teaching written culture are considered. The administrative use of speech, the attitude of the community to the language and its documentation are considered. Each criterion has a rating scale, usually from 1 to 5.

The preservation/disappearance of a language is influenced by religious, cultural, and educational aspects. The attitude of the State and the environment can greatly affect the use of a minority language. It should be noted that a small number of native speakers does not automatically mean the threat of the disappearance of native speech - among the languages of the world, those that are not used in education, the media or in administrative activities are under threat, that is, its status in the community is important. Experts also emphasize that the most important factor in preserving the language is the transfer of it to the next generation. Native speech is viable and safe when it is passed on to the next generation and when children learn it as their native language.

The disappearance and death of the world's languages can be compared to the biological extinction of animals and mammals. In order to consider their viability, he identifies two categories of linguistic viability, those that are safe, and those that are in danger and "die".

A language society may feel anxious about its future, the old way of life is disappearing, knowledge of the local language does not necessarily help in the future, and dominant speech is increasingly used in the environment. In teaching children, the dominant language, first, there is a desire of parents to provide them (children) with a good future.

As noted above, language is one of the most important factors of national characteristics, language inherits national culture and it is believed that a nation cannot exist without language. A nation is primarily defined by its language, and it must also protect the culture and native language of the people. But in many cases, the policy of linguistic nationalism in Armenia supports the culture and language of the ethnic majority.

The linguistic identity of the Yazidi people does not mean only that the Yazidis speak a particular language, the linguistic identity of the Yazidis reflects the linguistic history. The native language reflects the social and cultural environment of the Yazidis.

The role of the Yazidi language identity is especially important when the Yazidis are in an environment of a foreign culture and a foreign language. This may include both migration situations and situations in countries with a predominant percentage of mono-ethnicity. The status of the Yazidi language in the environment and in the state affects the linguistic identity of the Yazidis, does the state support the Yazidi minority, how does the representatives of the titular nation treat the Yazidis as a linguistic minority? The political, economic and social status of the language affects the linguistic identity of the Yazidis. And how hard are the Yazidis willing to work to preserve their language and culture?

Fortunately, in some cases, the linguistic identity of the Yazidis may increase, and certain groups of this people are trying hard to preserve their native language and culture. However, for the most part, especially among the younger generation, you can often see the phenomenon of assimilation.

Translated by David Babaev





Tags: #yazidisinfo   #newsyazidi   #aboutyazidi   #UNESCO  



Linguistic and ethnic identity of the Yazidis

2021/05/65120-1621586180.jpg
Read: 2832     12:30     21 Май 2021    

According to UNESCO's 2003 definition of the viability of languages and the threat to their existence, half of the world's 6,000 languages may die in the next century. This means that 3,000 languages are currently under great threat of extinction. Speaking about the disappearance of languages, two types of disappearance can be defined: a language can die with its last native speaker, or languages are threatened with extinction and gradually disappear when a language shift occurs, this means that the speakers of a minority language begin to use the dominant language of the community. Today, large numbers of migrants and migrations, but also urbanization, affect the viability of minority languages – and in many cases it is difficult to get an education or a job without knowing the majority language. Thus, the majority language becomes more important, and automatically affects the viability of the minority language.

Today, in the age of globalization, the role of the Yazidi language in the formation of the linguistic and ethnic identity of the Yazidi people is more relevant than ever. The Yazidi elite, who speak about the importance of their origin, and the ordinary Yazidi people, it is important to ask the question-what is the current situation of the Yazidi language? After all, its main role is to form an identity in the life of Yazidis. The situation and peculiarities of the language situation in the Yazidi childhood are also important: is the language used in the families of the Yazidi community and is its culture transmitted to the younger generation?

Among the representatives of the Yezidi community of Armenia and Georgia, it must be admitted that there are only a small number of speakers of their native Yezidi language. Culture and language, some traditions are already on the verge of extinction.

The role of the Yazidi language is very important when talking about the national character and national culture. For the national character of the Yazidis, the role of language is directly linked to religion. The Yazidi language is the most important foundation of culture and history, through which history and culture are transmitted to the next generations. It should be noted that language is not only a way to communicate, but also holds a large part of culture and religion – language is one ethnic marker. What kind of national character can we talk about when the Yazidi youth in Armenia speaks Armenian and does not speak Yazidi?

To consider the viability of languages, UNESCO defines nine criteria by which to determine their threat or viability. The criteria include the transmission of the language to the next generation, the number of native speakers, and the number of native speakers. In this case, the areas of use, learning, culture and teaching written culture are considered. The administrative use of speech, the attitude of the community to the language and its documentation are considered. Each criterion has a rating scale, usually from 1 to 5.

The preservation/disappearance of a language is influenced by religious, cultural, and educational aspects. The attitude of the State and the environment can greatly affect the use of a minority language. It should be noted that a small number of native speakers does not automatically mean the threat of the disappearance of native speech - among the languages of the world, those that are not used in education, the media or in administrative activities are under threat, that is, its status in the community is important. Experts also emphasize that the most important factor in preserving the language is the transfer of it to the next generation. Native speech is viable and safe when it is passed on to the next generation and when children learn it as their native language.

The disappearance and death of the world's languages can be compared to the biological extinction of animals and mammals. In order to consider their viability, he identifies two categories of linguistic viability, those that are safe, and those that are in danger and "die".

A language society may feel anxious about its future, the old way of life is disappearing, knowledge of the local language does not necessarily help in the future, and dominant speech is increasingly used in the environment. In teaching children, the dominant language, first, there is a desire of parents to provide them (children) with a good future.

As noted above, language is one of the most important factors of national characteristics, language inherits national culture and it is believed that a nation cannot exist without language. A nation is primarily defined by its language, and it must also protect the culture and native language of the people. But in many cases, the policy of linguistic nationalism in Armenia supports the culture and language of the ethnic majority.

The linguistic identity of the Yazidi people does not mean only that the Yazidis speak a particular language, the linguistic identity of the Yazidis reflects the linguistic history. The native language reflects the social and cultural environment of the Yazidis.

The role of the Yazidi language identity is especially important when the Yazidis are in an environment of a foreign culture and a foreign language. This may include both migration situations and situations in countries with a predominant percentage of mono-ethnicity. The status of the Yazidi language in the environment and in the state affects the linguistic identity of the Yazidis, does the state support the Yazidi minority, how does the representatives of the titular nation treat the Yazidis as a linguistic minority? The political, economic and social status of the language affects the linguistic identity of the Yazidis. And how hard are the Yazidis willing to work to preserve their language and culture?

Fortunately, in some cases, the linguistic identity of the Yazidis may increase, and certain groups of this people are trying hard to preserve their native language and culture. However, for the most part, especially among the younger generation, you can often see the phenomenon of assimilation.

Translated by David Babaev





Tags: #yazidisinfo   #newsyazidi   #aboutyazidi   #UNESCO