Being a Young Speaker of the Gagauz Language in Post-Soviet Context

Abstract

The concept of identity assumes great importance in the context of endangered languages. In this study, the identity perceptions of Gagauz adolescents were investigated using Bucholtz and Hall's (2005) sociocultural linguistic approach. To this end, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with three adolescent Gagauz speakers who had distinctive profiles in terms of Gagauz identity. Bucholtz and Hall's indexicality principle, specifically the use of WE- and THEY- references, was taken into consideration in the analysis of interviews held with young Gagauz speakers. In the semistructured interviews, the participants responded to specific questions that probed self-identification, the relationship between the Gagauz language and ethnicity, the future of Gagauz people and Gagauz language, and perceived linguistic (in)security when speaking Gagauz and Russian languages, as well as language choice at school. The findings show that the participants have different profiles and use various indexical references and linguistic strategies regarding group membership. The influence of Russia and the Russian language on Gagauz identity is salient in social life, bureaucracy, and politics. As a result, the strong identification with ethnic identity and perception of Gagauz identity does not help maintain the Gagauz language in Gagauzia.