Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Ph.D. Candidate of Sociology, University of Mazandaran, Mazandaran, Iran.
2 Associate Professor in Sociology, University of Mazandaran, Mazandaran, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor in Linguistics, University of Farhangiyan, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Mazandarani language(The variety used in Mazandaran province)is one of the ancient Iranian languages,which has been the language of the natives,living in the northern regions of Iran,since distant past.In recent years,as a result of social,cultural,economic and political developments,this language has undergone countless transformations,changes and its number of speakers has decreased,So that,now,it seems that,language transition to Farsi,has happened not only,in the context of Mazandarani families,but also,in the use of the language in offices,alleys and streets, etc.The purpose of this research,is to,investigate the status of Mazandarani language,and its level of endangerment,based on the nine indexes of UNESCO.Analysis of data,shows that,based on,the pattern of intergenerational language transmission,Mazandarani language,is at level 3(definitely endangered),based on,the patterns of the absolute number of speakers,the proportion of speakers in the total population and the trends in existing language domains,at level 2(strongly endangered).Also from the point of view of the pattern of response to new domains and media,the pattern of materials for language education and literacy and the pattern of amount and quality of Mazandarani documentation,it is at the lowest level(ziro grade).Examining the pattern of governmental language attitudes and policies,shows that,Mazandarani,is at level 3(definitely endangered).The attitude of the language community members toward their mother tongue,shows that,Mazandarani,is at the lowest level
Keywords
- Mazandarani language
- language vulnerability
- UNESCO models
- language attitude
- language use
- The level of language risk
Main Subjects
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