Today, Karachai language classes can be attended only in a few schools located in the Karachay-Balkar region. Specialized centers provide certain opportunities for preserving the linguistic culture and rich national heritage, but many believe that their development so far leaves much to be desired. Let us consider what kind of language is spoken by the Karachais, what are its features.
general information
Residents of Karachay-Cherkessia are best aware of how difficult it is to learn the Karachai language, what are the features of this dialect. Officially, the language is called Karachay-Balkar. It is considered a national treasure of Karachais, Balkars. Philologists have established that the dialect belongs to the Turkic languages, and more precisely - to the Kypchak group. Currently, the language is used in Kabardino-Balkaria, in Karachay-Cherkessia. You can find speakers of the language in question in Turkish regions and some Central Asian states. Sometimes carriers are found in Middle Eastern countries.
The Russian-Karachai language, formed from the historical Karachai under the influence of the environment, is peculiar. A total of 226,000 people spoke Karachai in our country about thirty years ago. 97.7% of Karachais called the language in question their native. Among the Balkars, this number was slightly less - 95.3%. Inside the linguistic structure, philologists distinguish two dialects, indicated for simplicity as “h” and “c”. Their official names are: Karachay-Baksan-Chegemsky, Malkar.
Sound features
Many modern residents of the Kabardino-Balkarian and Circassian regions know what “Khatchy” means in the Karachai language: this word translates as “pest”. In general, by the sound of this term, one can notice some specific features of linguistic melody. It is known that in earlier times there were words in the language beginning with “and”, but over time this vowel completely disappeared, and today there are no words in which the first sound would be just that. Say, "yakhshi" 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 first or second person. In addition, the presence of an affix to denote the genitive is assumed. In this case, the consonant is not put at the end. Affixes sound like "sa", "man", "now" and similar.
The Russian-Karachai language is known for its specific system of calculus, based not on ten, as is customary for us, but on twenty. A study of the roots of the words used by the population shows that many terms were borrowed. Mostly the exchange took place with native speakers of the Ossetian language. A lot of words came from Adyghe dialects. The literary language was formed after the 1917 revolution. The foundation for him was the Karachai-Baksan-Chegem dialect. The first time (in 1924-1926) writing was based on Arabic script. In 1926-1936, new rules were introduced; Latin was used to write words. From 1936 to this day, the population uses the Cyrillic alphabet.
About prevalence
Many of our contemporaries living in Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria are interested in zikirl in the Karachai language. These are such religious texts laid on music performed by a professional singer. Art belongs to a variety of folk, since language itself has received the status of a state. 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 educate children. He is taught to schoolchildren of the junior and middle levels. At universities, the Karachai language is one of the subjects required for study by humanities. In addition, some disciplines are taught in the language in question.
In addition to performing national zikirl in the Karachai language, it is used for publishing books and magazines. There are journalism, fiction and educational publications. Regularly print magazines, newspapers in the national dialect. Popular dialect programs are broadcast on television and the broadcasting network. Sometimes local theaters stage programs in Karachay. Basically, the study of the language and the preservation of culture is carried out by local institutions: pedagogical, humanitarian, linguistic, as well as the general state 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 Karachais live in our country, for whom the native dialect is Karachay-Balkar. Mostly people live in Karachay-Cherkessia, for which the status of the republic is fixed by regulatory acts. The roots are in the Caucasus. The self-name of the nationality is krachaylila. The small homeland is Karachay. In 2002, the census showed 192,000 Karachais, of which Karachay-Cherkessia accounted for the predominant percentage: 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 American territories, in Syria. There are Karachais in Kazakh lands and various Central Asian powers. The language spoken by the nationality refers to the languages ​​of the Altai family.
Mostly, composing verses in the Karachai language, using this adverb for everyday communication, people according to their religious worldviews are Sunnis who adhere to Islam. From historical studies it is known that for the local population, traditionally alpine livestock farming. The main area of ​​specialization is cattle, horses, sheep. The goat stock is quite large. Also, Karachais are engaged in terraced agriculture, cultivating artificially irrigated land. A variety of garden crops are grown, some cereals, potatoes. There are corn fields.
Many words in the Karachai language reflect the everyday characteristics of the inhabitants of this region. It is known that the traditional occupations are working with burkas, felt, and cloth. Local people make magnificent patterned felt products, weave mats and weave carpets, knit from wool. Among the national crafts include work on skins, leather, stone, wood. The work of local gold embroidery masters is extremely appreciated.
Language and related features
Nowadays, philologists and specialists are engaged in translations from Russian into Karachai. Native speakers with a good knowledge of its structure and features, possessing a rich vocabulary and a good understanding of different methods of expressing thoughts in writing and orally. It was far from always possible to speak the Karachay-Balkar language, since even such a name and definition appeared relatively recently. Only in the middle of the last century did the term for an adverb stand out. In a certain period, the dialect was called Tatar-Jagatai. It is known from history that the language spoken in Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia was previously considered to be Mountain Tatar, and at certain points in the development of national philology and linguistics it was called Mountain TĂĽrkic.
Among Karachais, the language in question is one of the state languages ​​at the loss of the republic. Nashids are performed in the Karachai language, lessons are taught in schools and universities, programs and magazines are published. At the same time, Russian, Kabardino-Circassian dialects are among the state ones.
About dialects and forms
It’s easy to say “I love you” in the Karachai language: it sounds like “Men Seni Syume”. This form is the main dialect, the one that has become the basis for the formation of the written language. But the sociocant type of dialect from the 60s of the last century is found in the Cherek gorge. Currently, a small percentage of native speakers have migrated from this region, with few transferring their language baggage further, 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 this, there are two reflection options: wheezing, hissing. The vocabulary of a language is a primordial set of words, diluted with numerous expressions that have come. In addition to Russians, Persians and Arabs became sources of words.
It is known that for the first time (given the problems of translation into the Karachai language) attempts to create the alphabet were made back in the 1880s. Then, Cyrillic and Latin were used as a base. In 1937-1938, it was decided to introduce Russian graphics. Literary language began to appear in the 1920s. In 1943, the Karachais were deported en masse, which significantly violated the possibility of developing the linguistic environment. A year later, the Balkans underwent deportation. People were able to return to their homeland only in 1957, their autonomous status was gradually restored, which in 1991 was consolidated by republican status. At the same time, the processes of the formation of the literary local language continued.
Theory and practice
Today, translations into Karachai are made of all news of federal significance, since broadcasting in the local dialect is practiced in the republic. Both Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria are republican bilingual lands in which they speak the national dialect and Russian.
For the first time, official mention of the type of dialect under consideration can be found in the works of the first half of the nineteenth century. It was then that the works of Klaprot, who studied the Karachai language, were published. Grammar was first written in 1912. The work was published by Karaulov. In many respects, studies of linguistic culture and vocabulary baggage were made by the efforts of Aliyev, Borovkov. A great contribution is noted to the preservation of the national culture of the scientists Khabichev and Akhmatov.
How to use?
Consider different options for congratulations in the Karachai language: happy birthday, a variety of holidays. The universal beginning will be the word "algyshlajma". If you want to address the wish to the person with whom the communication is “on you,” then the phrase begins with the word “canopy”, and if necessary, a respectful treatment is used in the form of “blue”. Between the address and the congratulatory common word, you can insert an indication of the event that caused the congratulations. In particular, when it comes to birthday, they say "tuugan kyunyung blah."
If the new year begins, as a congratulatory phrase you can use "Zhangy zhla bla." This combination of words is also put between the appeal and the general term for the fact of congratulation.
If a person has received any reward, they use “saugang blah”, and in case of some unspecified holiday it is enough to say “bayram blah”.
In Karachai, one can wish for something pleasant for a person. If you intend to say a general phrase that corresponds to the Russian wish for happiness, you can formulate it as "bulk bol." If it is necessary to address the addressee wishes politely, the phrase is supplemented with the letter combination “uguz”. Wishing the interlocutor a long and healthy life, you can express your intentions as follows: "Uzak emyurlyu bol." If necessary, add courtesy to the phrase complement the word "uguz".
Language and historical context
As mentioned above, in the last century, the considered dialect was actively developed, official written, literary speech was formed, but the process was interrupted for political reasons. And to this day in Karachay-Cherkessia regularly organize memory days dedicated to the events of 1943-1944. Every year, local residents celebrate the day when there was an opportunity 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 warriors on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War was estimated at 15 thousand people. At the same time, the authorities of the country took political repressive measures: about 70 thousand people were deported from their places of residence, among whom were sick and old, infants and young children, and elderly people. People were massively transferred to live in Kyrgyzstan, on Kazakh territories.
About 43,000 repressed died on their way to a new place of residence. The tragedy inflicted irreparable damage to the cultural heritage, along with it - to the Karachay language. Among the victims of the regime were about 22 thousand minors. The cause of death was frost, lack of food and numerous serious illnesses. The total duration of the link is 14 years. Only in 1957, people got the opportunity to return to their native lands, and the pioneers arrived on the third of May of this significant year. Currently, on this day annually celebrate the revival of the nationality.
Tragedy and its consequences
As people who defend the Karachai language and ensure the preservation of the cultural stock of the nationality say today, the complexity of this task is what are the historical prerequisites for its formation. On average, every fifth representative of the nationality defended their country at a time when his family and property were deported to hungry steppe lands with an unfavorable climate. Many admit that in the Central Asian regions the internally displaced people received warmly enough, provided shelter and provided food for the first time - as much as it was possible for people living in need and without food. To this day, many people who have preserved the memory of that period do not tire of thanking those who helped them.
It is noted that such an attitude of the authorities did not become an obstacle for Karachais to make efforts to protect their native country. A special settlement was organized in a strict mode, 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. Affected during the exile, faced with a huge number of troubles and troubles, greatly diminished in number the Karachais returned to their native lands. Since then, folk culture, language and songs, crafts have been developing more actively, since each local resident understands the importance of preserving his national identity. People were tempered 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 have no future. Many recall that in new habitats they often communicated with parents who spoke about their real homeland. Today, a large percentage of Karachais can say that due to political repression they lost a full-fledged family, normal childhood, and the 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 the laggards 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 this in themselves and will surely pass them on to the 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 Stalinist repressions helped the Karachais to unite. Perhaps, without it, the people would be quite fragmented, but political repressions united, turning representatives of nationalities into close relatives. Today, every Karachai man is proud of his origin, recognizes the inherent strength of will and fortitude inherent in himself and each representative of his people. What helped to overcome terrible difficulties half a century ago is still important for people who are faced with the problems of our time.
Past, Present, and Future
As many Karachais say, the need to remember the vicissitudes of the fate of a nation is not a reason for ethnic hatred or hatred of representatives of other nations. Any person should know the history of their ancestors, especially in the case when people united by one blood and language are quite few. However, some believe that the day of the restoration of the nationality is a source of peculiar and ambiguous feelings among local residents. It is both a holiday and a reminder of the tragedy, of all those who could not live to 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 most heroes in percentage terms. Even the difficulties of the rear, the troubles of the family did not prevent people brought up in harsh mountain conditions from fulfilling their duty. Modern Karachais also remember this, they are proud of it and take an example from this.
Many people recall that the period of return from involuntary resettlement was accompanied by a joyful meeting on the part of the local population remaining in Karachay-Cherkessia. At that moment, the local population was not interested in who and what nationality came or met. The main thing was the return home. Some were happy that their friends and acquaintances had finally returned, others were happy to feel their own land under their feet. After returning, people restore their culture, cherish their language, remember their national identity, and also urge everyone around them to understand what kind of burdens the repressed had to endure. Many believers today pray that this will not happen to anyone else.