FORMATION OF THE LANGUAGE-IDENTITY RELATIONSHIP IN AZERBAIJAN AND THE ROLE OF TURKISH

The article attempts to examine the identity rebirth in the post-Soviet Azerbaijan in the context of expanded relationships between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Various formats of identity expression, in particular at the linguistic level, are studied from the perspective of possible factors that arise from developing political, economic and socio-cultural links between the two countries. Attitudes towards the increased influence of the Turkish language are investigated on the basis of survey analysis. The dynamics of the Turkish factor in the formation or rebirth of national identity is analyzed across various periods of Azerbaijan's independence. The article has a particular focus on language behavior and attitudes of graduates from Turkish schools or Universities in order to explain the possible influence (or lack of influence) of the Turkish language and culture on new identity formats. On the other hand, we offer reflection on intergenerational dynamics of attitudes towards Turkey and Turkish by contrasting linguistic purism with new Turkification tendencies. Finally, we put forward certain suggestions on how the enhanced linguocultural relations factor could contribute to a higher quality of cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan, especially in the professional and intellectual spheres.