5 Attitudes Towards Tati Language Among its Native Speakers in Western Iran

Abstract

This chapter presents the sociolinguistic profile of Tati language in Western Iran. In order to do so, at the first stage previous studies on language attitude with a specific focus on minority languages in Iran are reviewed. Thereafter, we offer an overview of the research on Tati language by both local and international scholars. Following this historical review, the rest of this chapter will deal with Tati in Western Iran. The main focus is on the attitudes of Tati native speakers towards Tati language as their mother tongue. To explore this issue, 188 male and female Tati speakers completed an online questionnaire. These voluntary participants were from a broad range of locales where Tati native speakers inhabit, including southern Qazvin and Eshtehard, Takestan, Esfarvarin, Zanjan, Boein Zahra, Sagz Abad, Vafs, Khalkhal, Klowr, Kejal, Danesfahan, Asalem, and Tarom. Futher to that, 10 participants were interviewed to further explore how Tati native speakers perceive their mother tongue. This chapter closes by discussing the findings from a sociolinguistic perspective and the importance of research on minority and endangered languages is also highlighted. Finally, some suggestions for future research in this regard are provided.