"Azerbaijani" or "Azeri"? linguist harshly criticised

Society 13:13 14.04.2022

For years, various discussions have been circulating around the name of our people. Everyone thinks whether name of "Azeri", "Azerbaijani" or "Azerbaijani Turk" is correct.

According to some sources, the word Azeri was a provocation by the Soviet regime to make Azerbaijanis forget their Turkish identities. It is even emphasized that this mission was Stalin's plan.

In fact, Azeris have been a nomadic tribe living in Iran. Therefore, calling our nation as "Azeri" is totally wrong...

Given the seriousness of the issue, we tried to discuss the issue with linguist and associate professor Baba Maharramli. In his comments to Ednews, the linguist said that, unfortunately, such cases still occur.

Dilçilik İnstitutu:

“It is very unfortunate that neighbouring countries still call us Azeri. However, as we know, "Azeri" is a name belonging to the Iranian tribe. Sometimes the pro-Persian forces want to prove that the Azerbaijani people are of Iranian and Persian origin. We are of Turkish origin in terms of ethnicity. Among the ancient Turkic tribes there is the "Az" tribe. Sometimes in one of the considerations on the etymology of the word Azerbaijan, it is also called Azers (meaning brave men). As for "Azeris", it can be prevented only through propaganda," he said. 

B.Maharramli stressed that the Persian tribe "Azer" has nothing to do with the Azerbaijani people. The Azerbaijani people are of Turkish origin. Historically, the Turkic ethnos has always been dominant, and there is even enough information about the settlement of the Sumerians in Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, asking a question to the linguist we also inquired about to the reason for citizens to use foreign words in our language nowadays?

“It is very common for foreign words to be used in our local language. Even in brotherly Turkey, this is happening. Although we are a brotherly people, Turkic as a nation, we have an independent language. This has become fashionable not only in everyday life, but also on television. For example, the word "yansimaq" (a word from Turkish, means "reflect") is used very often. However, there is an alternative word in our language. Why ruin our language in such cases ?!

Maharramli stressed that this topic was relevant 100 years ago. Our intellectuals such as Jalil Mammadguluzadeh, Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli have repeatedly stressed in their columns that "do not use inappropriate foreign words." Unfortunately, young people today think that this is a fashionable and normal literary language. According to them, if someone uses a foreign language inappropriately, it gains a higher reputation for them. However, they do not realise that doing so will ruin our language.

The linguist spoke about the word "ok", which is considered an international word in this regard.

"It's understandable that this word is an international word," he said. "But how right is it to use it from social networks to television? As we know, television is a mirror of our society. This is a kind of propaganda. In this way, they show it their followers and viewers as normal."

B.Maharramli shared another observation with us, noting that our young people not only use foreign words, but also change the syntactic structure of our sentences.

"It's very embarrassing. To prevent this, it is necessary to prepare educational programmes, organise monitoring and propaganda. I would even like to bring something to your attention. The Cabinet of Ministers has already authorised the monitoring centre to impose fines.

In conclusion, Baba Maharramli shared his opinion on the term "Upper Karabakh" (Nagorno-Karabakh), which we came across in foreign media.

"According to the decree of the former president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in November 1991, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region has been abolished. However, unfortunately, the term is still used. I hope that it will be gradually removed from all terms and go down in history."

By Rena Murshud

Translated by Elnur Enveroglu

 

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

IEPF has started a new project to support local NGOs
16:05 04.06.2025
Zelenskyy says Ukraine has invitation to attend NATO summit
12:03 03.06.2025
Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
11:57 03.06.2025
Pakistan thanks Azerbaijan for support in localizing gas resources
11:50 03.06.2025
TPAO joins production sharing agreement for Shafag-Asiman offshore block
11:43 03.06.2025
US tariffs on steel, aluminum imports of 50% to take effect on June 4
11:50 31.05.2025
Lachin Rising: A Brotherhood of Steel Between Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan
15:02 30.05.2025
"Türkiye welcomes Azerbaijan's efforts for peace in South Caucasus"
14:53 27.05.2025
Trump could exit Ukraine talks
13:56 27.05.2025
North Korea says US 'Golden Dome' risks 'space nuclear war'
12:01 27.05.2025
Hikmat Hajiyev meets with NATO Deputy Secretary General in Brussels
11:10 23.05.2025
Foreign diplomats visit Agdam Conference Center
21:35 21.05.2025
New Secondary School Opened in Gakh by Heydar Aliyev Foundation
21:22 21.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Turkish Presidents Meet One-on-One in Nakhchivan
21:03 21.05.2025
Opening ceremony of World Cup held in Baku
20:57 21.05.2025
Pashinyan, EU Envoys Discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace
19:52 21.05.2025
New Deputy Appointed to Nakhchivan Education Minister
19:20 21.05.2025
Nakhchivan marks Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
17:42 21.05.2025
F.Shafiyev: Azerbaijan-Türkiye unity is example of effective cooperation
17:35 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan to build circular power link in Karabakh
17:28 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Italy discuss prospects for defense cooperation
17:19 21.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev addresses conference on Western Azerbaijan in Ankara
17:14 21.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Türkiye uphold international law for regional stability
17:03 21.05.2025
President of Cuba congratulates President Ilham Aliyev
16:58 21.05.2025
Azerbaijani President: Digitalization of the Middle Corridor is a priority
16:53 21.05.2025
Erdogan: Ilham Aliyev will be remembered as a peacemaker
16:48 21.05.2025
TDT: Azerbaijan is very important for the development of the Turkic world
16:43 21.05.2025
Georgian minister discusses cooperation with Azerbaijani ambassador
16:35 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Türkiye mull prospects for development of military cooperation
16:29 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan and Croatia hold political consultations
16:24 21.05.2025
GlobE Network work plan for 2025 approved in Baku
16:18 21.05.2025
Talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia may be held at level of heads of state
12:21 19.05.2025
A Meeting of Nobles exhibition to open in Shusha
12:15 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan increases construction by over 2026
12:09 19.05.2025
How does space "sound"? -NASA created "music" from the sounds of black hole
12:03 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan joins Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
11:57 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan’s parliamentary delegation starts official visit to Spain
11:53 19.05.2025
EU countries agree on big defence fund with Azerbaijan- Diplomat Says
11:48 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan,Türkiye Hold Talks on Education Sector Cooperation
11:42 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani delegation attends Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum 2025
11:36 19.05.2025
Hamısı