Three more languages die out in Turkey

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The Human Rights Association (İHD) has released a statement to mark February 21 World Mother Language Day.

Some 40 percent of the seven thousand languages spoken in the world are in danger of extinction, the association said, citing the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger.

According to UNESCO, three languages in Turkey, Ubik, Mlahso and Cappadocian Greek, have completely disappeared and 10 other languages are endangered: Turoyo, Ladino, Gagauzian, Romani, Western Armenian,Homshetsi, Laz, Pontos Greek, Abkhazian and Suret

Also, the languages of Adgye, Gagauz, Kabard-Cherkes and Zazaki are in the "vulnerable languages" category.

The UN General Assembly's 1992 Declaration on Minorities imposes responsibilities on the party states, which include Turkey, and underlines education in mother tongue as a right, noted the İHD

"However, like many states, Turkey does not act responsibly. Although it accepted the UN Declaration on Mother Language Rights, it still hasn't removed its reservations about mother tongue in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and hasn't amended the last paragraph of article 42 of the T.R. Constitution, which includes the part that 'No other language than Turkish can be taught to Turkish citizens as their mother language.'

"In addition to these problems, people who speak another language than Turkish, most notably Kurdish and Arabic with the increased number of Syrian refugees, are subjected to various types of repression, punishment, lynch attaks and hate speech; however, public authorities insist on not doing part to prevent the repression and hate attacks."

"On the occasion of World Mother Language Day, we remind state officials in Turkey ... of their responsibility," said the association.

The İHD concluded the statement with a message in seven languages spoken in Anatolia (Mother Language is a Right, It can't be Restrained!):

Մայրենի լեզուն իրաւունք է: Անխուսափելի է

Zone moamı haqamına!

U yulfono dbu lişono emhoyo zedqoyo, lıgmitakle!

Nananenaşk̆imite vinʒ̆opula, vigura bgorum!

Mafê zîmanê dayîkê heqe, nayê asteng kirin!

Анэдэлъхубзэр хьэкъщ, фы пэрыуэфынкъым!

Anadil Haktır Engellenemez!

(AÖ/VK)