Abstract
This paper analyses the nomenclature applied to defining the varieties of Iranian languages in the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as in the Russian Federation. Based on those definitions, we build a system for categorization of these languages in scholarly sociolinguistic, political and media discourses. For that purpose, we trace the impact of international discourse and treaties on language politics signed by those States which influence the development of new approaches and perspectives in the treatment of indigenous ethnic minorities and their mother tongues. We also give an overview of how the processes of globalization and urbanization affect minorities, and the definitions and nomenclature of their vernaculars, as well as their attitudes to their mother tongue in terms of their specific perspectives, values, and identity.
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Notes
- 1.
The group consists of the Shughnani-Rushani subgroup (Shughnani, Rushani, Khufi, Bartangi, Roshorvi and Sarikoli) with related Yazghulami, Ishkashimi, Sanglechi, and Wakhi. Occasionally another minor language Munji, with its relation Yidgha, is included into the group. Earlier this group included recently extinct Zebaki, Old Wanji, probably Old Darwaz vernacular and Sarghulami (it is assumed that the last one was located on the left bank of the river Panj in the Province of Badakhshan, Afghanistan).
- 2.
As it is widely accepted, the disadvantages of migration for the home country include: loss of young, working age people, and of those possessing education and skills, as well as the division of families, the resulting loss of younger generations skilled in mother tongues, and the deterioration of mother tongues. At the same time the immigrant population in the host country experiences language, economic and cultural problems which in their turn result in a decline in their mother tongue skills; additionally, due to their efforts to integrate, the second generation switch to the predominant host country language. An advantage of migration for the migrant lies in the income they send home, while cheap labour and cultural diversity are advantages for the host country.
- 3.
Zakon o âzykah narodov SSSR. 24/04/1990. http://www.economics.kiev.ua/download/ZakonySSSR/data01/tex10935.htm (viewed on 30/10/2017).
- 4.
As the status of indigenous people is not rigorously specified, modern trends in national policy mean that the state usually treats minorities differently from ordinary inhabitants. This finds expression in the introduction of special policies establishing national and territorial autonomies, introducing various kinds of autonomous treatment. With these issues in mind, particular concepts were introduced which had originally been partially pre-empted in Soviet times. The main population of Tajikistan consisted of the Tajik nation which included Tajiks proper, Pamir groups and Yaghnobis, along with ethnic minorities, such as Uzbeks, Turkmen, Russian, etc. This official status of Iranian minorities (Pamir and Yaghnob people) conflicts with the way common Tajik people usually perceive them. See, for instance the article published by the activist Qirgizbek Qonunov in the «Ozodagon» digital news agency and its comments (18 December 2014: http://catoday.org/centrasia/komu-rezhut-sluh-pamirskie-yazyki-i-kto-meshaet-realizacii-zakona-o-gosudarstvennom-yazyke) (viewed on 26/10/2017).
- 5.
This Convention was adopted in fulfilment of the provisions of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” (1948) and the UN “Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination” (1963).
- 6.
See: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CERD/Shared%20Documents/TJK/CERD_C_TJK_CO_9-11_28703_E.pdf (viewed on 06/02/2018).
- 7.
Cf. Russian “badaxšanskie (pamirskie) yazyki, “gorno-badaxšanskie (pamirskie) yazyki” (lit. Adjective derived from: (languages) of (Mountainous) Badakhshan (of Pamir))”.
- 8.
Quotation from the declaration by G. Sharofzoda chairman of the State Committee on Language and Terminology. 2015: https://www.ozodi.org/a/tajik-government-will-protect-minor-languages/27156248.html (viewed on 06/02/2018).
- 9.
“International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 2012: docstore.ohchr.org/SelfServices/FilesHandler.ashx?enc))
- 10.
See: http://www.garshin.ru/linguistics/languages/nostratic/indo-european/indo-iranian/iranian/south-east-iranian.html (viewed on 06/02/2018).
- 11.
Retrieved 27/10/2017.
- 12.
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Dodykhudoeva, L. (2019). Categorization of Minor Pamir Languages in Tajikistan. In: Moskvitcheva, S., Viaut, A. (eds) Minority Languages from Western Europe and Russia. Language Policy, vol 21. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24340-1_7
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