Language Attitudes, Shift and the Ethnolinguistic Vitality of the Greek Orthodox Community in Istanbul

Abstract

The Greek Orthodox community of Istanbul has long existed as a bilingual Greek and Turkish grouping and remains largely unstudied. The sharp decrease in the size of this community to approximately 1000 members raises questions as to the maintenance of Greek in this setting. This study attempts to establish the current status of Greek in the community and explores key sociolinguistic and sociopsychological parameters relevant to its potential survival or loss. In particular, it investigates whether the symbolic status of Greek, its link with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul and the strength of the community's ethnocultural identity are crucial factors that might underpin its survival. Data gathered via a questionnaire (investigating language use, attitudes and the ethnolinguistic status of the community) and interviews revealed that Greek has high symbolic status and plays a key role in defining ethnocultural identity. However Greek competence in the younger generation appears to be significantly declining. Greek is now widely spoken only in the home and at Church; and without significant changes language shift may in practice accelerate, despite a strong desire by the community to preserve their language.