Today, Karachai language classes can be attended only in a few schools located in the Karachay-Balkar region. Certain opportunities for the preservation of linguistic culture and rich folk heritage are provided by specialized centers, but many believe that their development still leaves much to be desired. Consider what kind of language the Karachais speak, what are its features.
General information
Inhabitants of Karachay-Cherkessia know best how difficult it is to learn the Karachay language, what are the features of this dialect. Officially, the language is called Karachay-Balkarian. It is considered a national treasure of the Karachays and Balkars. Philologists have established that the dialect belongs to the Turkic languages, or to be more precise, to the Kypchak group. Currently, the language is used in Kabardino-Balkaria, in Karachay-Cherkessia. You can meet speakers of the language in question in the Turkish regions and some Central Asian states. Sometimesspeakers are found in Middle Eastern countries.
The Russian-Karachay language is peculiar, formed from the historical Karachay under the influence of the environment. In total, about thirty years ago, 226,000 people spoke Karachai in our country. 97.7% of Karachays called the language in question their mother tongue. Among the Balkars, this number was slightly less - 95.3%. Within the linguistic structure, philologists distinguish two dialects, for simplicity, designated as “ch” and “c”. Their official names are: Karachay-Baksano-Chegem, Malkar.
Sound Features
Many modern residents of the Kabardino-Balkarian, Cherkess regions know what “khatachy” means in the Karachay language: this word is translated as “pest”. In general, already by the sound of this term, one can notice some specific features of linguistic melodics. It is known that in the old days there were words in the language that began with “and”, but over time this vowel completely disappeared, and today there are no words in which the first sound would be just that. Let's say "yahshi" eventually transformed into "ahshi". This word translates as "good". In addition, the language system resorts to affixes. These are used in words in the singular when it comes to the first or second person. In addition, the presence of an affix for the genitive case is assumed. In this case, there is no consonant at the end. Affixes sound like "sa", "man", "now" and similar.
The Russian-Karachai language is known for its specific number system,based not on ten, as is customary for us, but on twenty. A study of the roots of words used by the population shows that many terms were borrowed. Mostly the exchange took place with native speakers of the Ossetian language. Many words came from the Adyghe dialects. The literary language was formed after the revolution of 1917. The Karachay-Baksano-Chegemsky dialect was taken as the foundation for it. At first (in 1924-1926), writing was based on Arabic script. In 1926-1936, new rules were introduced, the Latin alphabet was used to write words. From 1936 to this day, the population has been using the Cyrillic alphabet.
About prevalence
Many of our contemporaries living in Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria are interested in zikirle in the Karachai language. These are religious texts set to music performed by a professional singer. Art belongs to a variety of folk art, since the language itself received the status of a state language. In 1996, such a law appeared on the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia, and a year earlier, a normative act was adopted in Kabardino-Balkaria. The language in question is used to teach children. It is taught to elementary and middle school students. At universities, the Karachai language is one of the subjects required for study by the humanities. In addition, some disciplines are taught in the language in question.
Besides performing national zikirle in Karachai, it is used for publishing books and magazines. There is journalism, fiction andeducational publications. Magazines and newspapers are regularly printed in the national dialect. Television and radio broadcasting networks broadcast programs in the national dialect. Sometimes local theaters put on programs in Karachai. Basically, the study of the language and the preservation of culture are carried out by local institutions: pedagogical, humanitarian, linguistic, as well as general profile state KBSU.
About nationality
Congratulations in the Karachai language can usually be heard from the original local population living in Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia. In total, about 220 thousand Karachays live in our country, for whom their native dialect is Karachay-Balkar. Mostly people live in Karachay-Cherkessia, which is assigned the status of a republic by regulatory acts. Roots - in the Caucasus. The self-name of the nation is karachailila. Small homeland - Karachay. In 2002, the census showed 192,000 Karachays, of which the predominant percentage fell on Karachay-Cherkessia: about 170 thousand. In 2010, a census was again conducted, showing a result of 218 thousand people. It is known that people from this region live in the American territories, in Syria. There are Karachays in the Kazakh lands and various Central Asian powers. The language spoken by the people belongs to the languages of the Altai family.
Mostly people who compose verses in the Karachai language and use this adverb for everyday communication are Sunni Muslims according to their religious worldviews. It is known from historical research that for the local population it is traditionallyalpine cattle breeding. The main area of specialization is cattle, horses, sheep. Quite a large number of goats. Also, Karachais are engaged in terraced agriculture, cultivate artificially irrigated plots of land. A variety of garden crops, some cereals, and potatoes are grown. There are cornfields.
Many words in the Karachai language reflect the everyday characteristics of the inhabitants of this region. It is known that traditional occupations are work with cloaks, felt, and cloth. Locals make magnificent patterned felt products, weave mats and weave carpets, knit from wool. Among the national crafts is the work on skins, leather, stone, wood. The work of local masters of gold embroidery is exceptionally appreciated.
Language and related features
In our time, philologists and specialists are engaged in translations from Russian into Karachay. Native speakers who know its structure and features well, have a rich vocabulary and a good understanding of the different methods of expressing thoughts in writing and orally. It was far from always possible to speak the Karachay-Balkarian language, since even such a name and definition appeared relatively recently. It was only in the middle of the last century that the term for the dialect was established. In some period, the dialect was called Tatar-Jagatai. It is known from history that the language spoken in Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia was previously considered mountain Tatar, and at certain points in the development of national philology and linguisticshe was called the mountain-Turkic.
Among the Karachais, the language in question belongs to the state language at the level of the republic. Nasheeds are performed in the Karachay language, lessons are conducted in schools and universities, programs and magazines are published. At the same time, Russian, Kabardino-Circassian dialects are among the state dialects.
About dialects and forms
Saying "I love you" in Karachay is not difficult: it sounds like "Men seni suyeme". This form is the main dialect, the one that became the basis for the formation of the written language. But the clattering-choking type of dialect has been found in the Cherek Gorge since the 60s of the last century. At present, a small percentage of speakers have migrated from this region, with few passing on their linguistic baggage, preferring to turn to more common dialects. The main difference between different variants of Circassian dialects is in the pronunciation of hissing. Such sounds are inherent in all Turkic languages. Within the framework of the considered, there are two options for reflection: whistling, hissing. The lexical stock of a language is a primordial set of words diluted with numerous incoming expressions. In addition to Russians, Persians and Arabs became the sources of words.
It is known that for the first time (considering the problems of translation into the Karachay language) attempts to create an alphabet were made back in the 1880s. Then the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets were used as the base. In 1937-1938, it was decided to introduce Russian graphics. The literary language began to appear in the 1920s of the last century. In 1943, the Karachays were massively deported, which significantly disrupted the possibilitiesdevelopment of the language environment. A year later, the Balkans were deported. People were able to return to their homeland only in 1957, the autonomous status was gradually restored, which in 1991 was secured by the republican status. At the same time, the processes of formation of the literary local language continued.
Theory and practice
Today, all news of federal importance are being translated into Karachay, since broadcasting in the local dialect is practiced on the territory of the republic. Both Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria are republican bilingual lands where the national dialect and Russian are spoken.
For the first time, official references to the type of dialect in question can be found in the works of the first half of the nineteenth century. It was then that the works of Klaproth, who studied the Karachay language, were published. Grammar was first written about in 1912. The work was published under the authorship of Karaulov. In many respects, the studies of linguistic culture and vocabulary were made by the efforts of Aliyev and Borovkov. A great contribution to the preservation of the national culture of scientists Khabichev and Akhmatov is noted.
How to use?
Let's consider different options for congratulations in the Karachai language: happy birthday, various holidays. The universal beginning will be the word "algyshlayma". If you want to address a wish to a person with whom communication is “on you”, then the phrase begins with the word “canopy”, and if necessary, respectful treatment is used in the form of “life”. Between an appeal and a congratulatorywith a common word, you can insert an indication of the event that caused congratulations. In particular, when it comes to a birthday, they say “tuugan kunyung blah.”
If the new year begins, you can use “zhangy zhyl bla” as a congratulatory phrase. This combination of words is also put between an appeal and a general term to indicate the fact of congratulations.
If a person has received any award, they use "saugang blah", and in the case of some unspecified holiday, it is enough to say "bairam blah".
In the Karachai language, you can wish something pleasant for a person. If you intend to say a general phrase corresponding to the Russian wish for happiness, you can formulate it as "bulk balls." If it is necessary to address the addressee of the wish politely, the phrase is supplemented with the letter combination "uguz". Wishing the interlocutor a long and he althy life, you can express your intentions as follows: “uzak emurly bol”. If necessary, to add politeness, the phrase is supplemented with the word "uguz".
Language and historical context
As mentioned above, in the last century the dialect in question was actively developing, official written, literary speech was formed, but the process was interrupted for political reasons. To this day, days of remembrance dedicated to the events of 1943-1944 are regularly held in Karachay-Cherkessia. Every year, locals celebrate the day when it became possible to return to their native lands. Not so long ago, a monument dedicated to that mournful period was erected. In 1943-1944, the approximate number of Karachai soldiers on the fronts of the Second World War was estimated at 15 thousand people. At the same time, the country's authorities took political repressive measures: about 70 thousand people were deported from their places of residence, including the sick and the old, babies and small children, and the elderly. People were massively transferred to live in Kyrgyzstan, on Kazakh territories.
About 43,000 repressed died already on the way to a new place of residence. The tragedy caused irreparable damage to the cultural heritage, along with it to the Karachay language. Among the victims of the regime were about 22,000 minors. The cause of death was frost, lack of food and numerous serious illnesses. In total, the duration of the link is 14 years. Only in 1957 did people get the opportunity to return to their native lands, and the pioneers arrived on the third of May of this significant year. Currently, this day is celebrated annually as the day of the revival of the nationality.
The tragedy and its aftermath
As people who protect the Karachay language and ensure the preservation of the cultural reserve of the nationality say today, the complexity of this task lies in the historical prerequisites for its formation. On average, every fifth representative of the nationality defended his fatherland at the moment when his family and property were deported to the hungry steppe lands with an unfavorable climate. Many admit that in the Central Asian regions the internally displaced persons were warmly received, given shelter and food for the first time - as far as it was possible for people living in needand without food. To this day, many people who have preserved the memory of that period do not get tired of thanking those who helped them.
It is noted that such an attitude of the authorities did not become an obstacle for the Karachais to make efforts to protect their native country. A special settlement was organized in a strict regime, and living conditions were extremely unfavorable, however, all residents understood how important it was to help the front. Their task was to restore the national economy, and people worked carefully to achieve what they wanted. At the same time, however, the settlers cherished the hope of returning home. In 1956, the presidium finally issued an official paper abolishing special settlements as a mandatory regime. The Karachays who suffered during the exile, faced with a huge number of troubles and troubles, greatly reduced in numbers, returned to their native lands. Since then, folk culture, language and songs, crafts have been developing more actively, as every local resident understands the importance of preserving their national identity. People hardened in exile, thanks to which modern Karachais are those who are not afraid of any obstacles.
Unity and Nation
As the locals say, if a nation does not remember its past, it will not have a future either. Many recall that in new habitats they often talked with their parents, who talked about their real homeland. Today, a large percentage of Karachays can say that due to political repressions they have lost a full-fledged family, a normal childhood,opportunity to live as a person should. Many did not see their grandparents, others did not meet their fathers or mothers, or they died when the children were very young. The resettlement was accompanied by a strong crush, and all those lagging behind were shot. In many ways, this also caused a catastrophic number of victims during the period of forced relocation. The tragedies of the Soviet period will remain in the memory of the Karachai people forever. Many assure that they will keep it in themselves and will definitely pass it on to their children so that the future generation knows what difficulties their ancestors faced - but survived and were able to return home.
Many believe that the tragedy that happened during the period of Stalinist repressions helped the Karachais to unite. Perhaps, without it, the people would have been rather disunited, but political repressions united, turning representatives of nationalities into close relatives. Today, every Karachay is proud of his origin, is aware of the inherent strength of will and strength of spirit inherent in himself and every representative of his people. What helped to overcome the most terrible difficulties half a century ago is still important today for people who are forced to face the problems of our time.
Past, present and future
As many Karachays note, the need to remember the vicissitudes of the fate of the nation is not a reason for interethnic hatred or hatred towards representatives of other nations. Any person should know the history of their ancestors, especially in the case when there are quite a few people united by the same blood and language. However, some believe that the day of the restoration of the nationality -it is a source of peculiar and ambiguous feelings among the locals. It is both a holiday and a reminder of the tragedy, of all those who could not live to see the third of May, which allowed people to return home. At the same time, historians believe that it was among the Karachai warriors who defended the country during the Second World War that there were the most heroes in percentage terms. Even the difficulties of the rear, the troubles at home, did not prevent people brought up in harsh mountain conditions from fulfilling their duty. Modern Karachays also remember this, they are proud of it and take an example from this.
Many remember that the period of return from forced resettlement was accompanied by a joyful meeting from the local population remaining in Karachay-Cherkessia. At that moment, the local population was not interested in who and what nationality arrived or met. The main thing was the return home. Some were glad that their friends and acquaintances had finally returned, others were happy to feel their native land under their feet. After returning, people restore their culture, protect their language, remember their national self-identification, and also call on everyone around them to understand what hardships the repressed had to endure. Many believers today are praying that this will not happen to anyone else.
