The Sociolinguistic Situation of the Khinalug in Azerbaijan

Abstract

This paper presents the results of sociolinguistic research conducted in August 2000 among the Khinalug people in northeastern Azerbaijan, the majority of whom live in the villages of Xınalıq and Gülüstan. The goals of the research were to investigate patterns of language use, bilingualism, and language attitudes with regard to the Khinalug, Azerbaijani, and Russian languages in the Khinalug community. Of particular interest is the stable diglossia that has developed between Khinalug and Azerbaijani. Interviews, observations, and questionnaires were employed. An important part of the interviews dealt with perceived benefits of the various languages.∗