Gagauz
[aka Gagauzi, Gaugausen,]Classification: Turkic
·vulnerable
This dissertation mainly investigated the language attitudes in the context of endangered languages. The Gagauz language, an endangered language, was investigated on the basis of emotional and functional attitudes. To this end, the attitudes of the Gagauz speakers towards the Gagauz and the Russian languages were explored. Apart from the speaker attitudes, the language uses in daily life practices were also investigated in this study. The data collection instrument adopted in this study is a paper-and-pencil questionnaire which included a personal information form and an attitude scale. The personal information form is composed of 19 items which investigates topics such as language uses in certain context, language proficiency levels, language competencies of the family members etc. The second part of the data collection instrument includes a 22- item attitude scale designed to compare the Gagauz and the Russian languages on the basis of emotional and functional attitudes. The scale and form are prepared in two languages. The data were collected in January 2014. The questionnaires were administered to 137 participants living in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. The results show that the participants have more positive emotional attitudes towards the Gagauz language, while they have more positive functional attitudes towards the Russian language. Considering that this study also investigates the role of age, gender and the place of residence on the language attitudes and uses, it is seen that generally the age and the place of residence were effective. Specifically, participants of young age group have more positive attitudes towards the Russian language. Additionally, the participants living in villages were found to have more positive attitudes towards the Gagauz language. Similarly, the language uses of the speakers are in parallel with their attitudes towards these languages. Finally, this study aimed to contribute to the growing area of research on language endangerment by exploring the relationship between the emotional and functional attitudes.