Research Article

MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ

Number: 30 October 29, 2025
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MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ

Abstract

Language endangerment is a global concern that threatens a significant portion of the world’s languages, and intergenerational transmission is critical to the survival of a language. Recent studies indicate that the use of Zazaki is declining and that the language is endangered. However, existing research focusing on the intergenerational transmission of Zazaki is both limited in number and methodologically constrained. This study aims to analyse the intergenerational transmission of Zazaki among families living in Bingöl Province with children under the age of 10. The focus of the research is to understand how language transmission occurs, particularly during early childhood, and the role of parents in this process. Additionally, the study aims to determine the extent to which Zazaki is used in daily life within family communication, working life, and social life. A quantitative research method was adopted in the study. Data were collected from 52 participants (aged 30-50) residing in the centre, districts and villages of Bingöl, whose native language is Zazaki and who have at least one child under the age of 10 (from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds). A questionnaire containing information on language use and participants’ demographic information was used as the data collection tool. Quantitative data were analysed using statistical analysis software (SPSS). According to the findings, although Zazaki still plays an active role in daily life, it is no longer the primary language of communication and is limited to specific social contexts. If current trends continue, Zazaki faces the risk of extinction, and a multi-dimensional approach requiring urgent intervention is needed to ensure the sustainability of the language.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Linguistic Performance Science, Applied Linguistics and Educational Linguistics

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

October 26, 2025

Publication Date

October 29, 2025

Submission Date

May 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 15, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Number: 30

APA
Kesmez, A. (2025). MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ. Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 30, 94-106. https://doi.org/10.29029/busbed.1689349
AMA
1.Kesmez A. MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ. Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2025;(30):94-106. doi:10.29029/busbed.1689349
Chicago
Kesmez, Ahmet. 2025. “MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ”. Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, nos. 30: 94-106. https://doi.org/10.29029/busbed.1689349.
EndNote
Kesmez A (October 1, 2025) MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ. Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 30 94–106.
IEEE
[1]A. Kesmez, “MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ”, Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, no. 30, pp. 94–106, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.29029/busbed.1689349.
ISNAD
Kesmez, Ahmet. “MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ”. Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 30 (October 1, 2025): 94-106. https://doi.org/10.29029/busbed.1689349.
JAMA
1.Kesmez A. MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ. Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2025;:94–106.
MLA
Kesmez, Ahmet. “MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ”. Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, no. 30, Oct. 2025, pp. 94-106, doi:10.29029/busbed.1689349.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Kesmez. MOTHER TONGUE OR MOTHER’S LANGUAGE? INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ZAZAKİ. Bingöl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2025 Oct. 1;(30):94-106. doi:10.29029/busbed.1689349