Turkic languages in the <i>Atlas of the Languages of Iran</i> (ALI)

Abstract

The Atlas of the Languages of Iran (ALI), initiated in 2014, is a long-term research programme that aims to develop a comprehensive overview of the language situation in Iran, with attention to the distribution of language varieties, their structural characteristics, and relationships among the varieties. The Atlas deals with all languages of Iran, and since Turkic-speaking communities are found in most provinces, the Turkic language family features prominently. In this article, we look at three important issues relating to Turkic in the Atlas, in the order that they have been initiated in the research process. First, we present the ongoing classification of Turkic languages in Iran as a scientific frame, serving as both foundation and key goal of the research. Second, we describe our initial approach to Turkic language communities through a systematic inquiry into language distribution and the collection of local place names. Third, we provide an inventory of Turkic linguistic questionnaire data collected and analyzed up to now, along with an overview of results. The paper concludes with reflections on progress, challenges, and future directions in the documentation of Iran’s Turkic languages in the context of the ALI programme.