@article{article_1588200, title={Mapping Laz and Homshetsma in the Black Sea region: Kemalpaşa}, journal={Dilbilim Araştırmaları Dergisi}, volume={36}, pages={345–379}, year={2026}, DOI={10.18492/dad.1588200}, url={https://izlik.org/JA75MY72AH}, author={Çelik, Ahmet Batuhan and Güven, Rızvan and Akkuş, Mehmet}, keywords={Lazca, Hemşince, atlas, alan araştırması, tehlike altındaki dil(ler)}, abstract={This study presents a detailed examination of the nouns used by the Laz and Homshetsma-speaking communities in the Kemalpaşa district of Artvin, Türkiye. It aims to document and analyze the lexical features of these two endangered minority languages, which belong to the South Caucasian and Indo-European language families, respectively. The Black Sea region’s complex linguistic landscape results from historical migrations and interactions among various ethnic groups (Kırzıoğlu, 1976; Simonian, 2007). Using a lexical atlas approach, this research maps out the vocabulary differences and similarities between Laz and Homshetsma speakers in Kemalpaşa. Data collection involved extensive fieldwork, including interviews and data elicitation with Laz and Homshetsma native speakers. By highlighting the unique lexical traits of Laz and Homshetsma, the study also sheds light on the broader sociolinguistic dynamics of the region, offering insights into language contact, shift, and maintenance. The findings underscore the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, advocating for policies that support the preservation of minority languages in Türkiye. This initial volume sets the stage for further comparative studies across different regions inhabited by Laz and Homshetsma speakers. This atlas serves as a crucial resource for linguists and anthropologists interested in the Caucasian linguistic area, contributing to the preservation and understanding of these endangered languages.}, number={3 - Türkiye’de Tehlikedeki Diller Özel Sayısı (Konuk Editörler: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek) / Special Issue - Endangered Languages in Turkey (Guest Editors: Mehmet Akkuş, Çiğdem Sağın Şimşek)}