The Script Of Azerbaijan: A Cultural Identity

Azerbaijanis have used a variety of scripts throughout their history, including Old Turkic runic script, Arabic, Latin, and Cyrillic. The Arabic script was introduced to the region in the 7th century and was used until the 1920s, when the Latin alphabet was introduced. In 1939, Joseph Stalin ordered the use of the Cyrillic alphabet for Azeri speakers in the Soviet Union. After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijanis switched back to the Latin script, which is still used today. However, Azerbaijanis in Iran continue to use the Perso-Arabic script.

Azerbaijanis have used several scripts, including Old Turkic runic script, Arabic, Latin, and Cyrillic

Azerbaijanis have used several scripts throughout their history, including Old Turkic runic script, Arabic, Latin, and Cyrillic.

Old Turkic, a predecessor of all Turkic languages, was recorded in runic script. The Arabic script was introduced to the Azerbaijan region in the 7th century and continued to be used to write Azerbaijani until the 1920s. Three different versions of the Arabic script were used during this period: the 28-letter Arabic script, the 32-letter Perso-Arabic script, and the 33-letter Turkic Arabic script.

In the early 20th century, the Azeri alphabet changed three times. In 1929, the New Turkish Alphabet Committee in Baku created a version of the Latin alphabet for Azeri. The Soviet authorities aimed to separate the Azerbaijanis in the USSR from those in Iran and hoped that the Azeri Muslim culture would become more secular. However, in 1939, Joseph Stalin ordered the Cyrillic alphabet to be used by Azeri speakers in the Soviet Union.

After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijanis switched back to a Latin-based script. The current Latin alphabet was introduced, although it is slightly different from the one used in 1929-1939. This switch caused some confusion, and there was a shortage of typewriters and computer fonts that could be used to write the new alphabet.

Today, Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan continue to use the Latin alphabet, while those in Iran employ the Perso-Arabic script.

The Arabic script was introduced to Azerbaijan in the 7th century and was used until the 1920s

The Arabic script was introduced to Azerbaijan in the 7th century, coinciding with the arrival of Turkic-speaking peoples in the region. The Arabic script was used to write Azerbaijani until the 1920s, with three different versions being used during this period: the 28-letter Arabic script, the 32-letter Perso-Arabic script, and the 33-letter Turkic Arabic script. However, none of these scripts were ideal for writing the Azerbaijani language, and various reforms were proposed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

During the early 20th century, there were efforts by Azerbaijani intellectuals to replace the Arabic script and adopt a Latin alphabet. In 1922, the Soviet Union-sponsored Yeni türk əlifba komitəsi (New Turkic Alphabet Committee) in Baku created a Latin alphabet for Azeri. This was done with the intention of separating Azerbaijanis in the USSR from those living in Iran and to promote secularisation in Azerbaijan's Muslim culture.

In 1929, the Latin alphabet officially replaced the Arabic script in Azerbaijan. However, the transition was gradual, and both scripts were used alongside each other until 1933, when the Latin script was finally chosen.

The Latin script was first introduced in 1929, but replaced by Cyrillic in 1939

The Latin script was first introduced in Azerbaijan in 1929. However, it was replaced by Cyrillic in 1939.

The history of the Azerbaijani alphabet is a complex one. The Azeri language has undergone several alphabet changes over the last century. The first written records of the language date back to the 7th century when the Arabic script was introduced to the region. The Arabic script was used to write Azerbaijani until the 1920s.

In the early 20th century, there were efforts by Azerbaijani intellectuals to replace the Arabic script and introduce a Latin alphabet. In 1922, the Soviet Union-sponsored Yeni türk əlifba komitəsi (New Turkic Alphabet Committee) in Baku created a Latin alphabet for Azeri. The new alphabet was intended to separate the Azerbaijanis in the USSR from those living in Iran. The Latin script was officially introduced in Azerbaijan in 1929 to replace the Arabic script.

However, in 1939, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin ordered that the Azeri Latin script be changed to the Cyrillic script. This was done to sever the Soviet Azerbaijani Turks' ties with the Turkish people in the Republic of Turkey. The Cyrillic alphabet was forcibly imposed on the country, and it remained in use until Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

After independence, Azerbaijan switched back to a Latin-based script, although it was a slightly different version from the one used between 1929 and 1939. This transition period lasted from 1991 to 2001, during which both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets were accepted. Since 2001, the Azerbaijani Latin alphabet has been the official alphabet of the Azerbaijani language in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The switch back to the Latin script was not without challenges. There was a shortage of typewriters and computer fonts that could be used to write in the new alphabet. Additionally, the change was difficult for many Azerbaijanis, especially those over 40, who had become accustomed to the Cyrillic alphabet during its decades-long usage.

Cyrillic was replaced by Latin in 1991 after Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union

The Azerbaijani alphabet has three versions: Arabic, Latin, and Cyrillic. The choice of script has been a politically sensitive issue in Azerbaijan's history, with the country's alphabet changing several times in the 20th century.

In 1991, after Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union, the newly elected parliament voted to replace the Cyrillic script with a Latin one. This was a significant decision, as it symbolised a break from the Soviet era and a return to the Latin script used before Joseph Stalin's imposition of Cyrillic in 1939. The transition period from 1991 to 2001 allowed for the use of both scripts, with the Latin script becoming the official alphabet in 2001.

The adoption of the Latin script was not without challenges. The change caused confusion, and there was a shortage of typewriters and computer fonts that supported the new alphabet. However, the similarity between the Turkish and Azerbaijani Latin alphabets meant that Turkish typewriters were in high demand. The transition also proved difficult for the population, especially those over 40, who had grown up reading Cyrillic and now faced difficulties in reading new road signs and literature.

The switch to the Latin script was not just a practical change but also a political one. It was seen as a way to bring Azerbaijan closer to Europe, especially Turkey, which shares a similar language and had adopted the Latin script earlier in the 20th century. Additionally, proponents of the change argued that Latin letters better suited the phonetics of the Azeri language.

The replacement of Cyrillic with Latin was part of a broader effort to revive Azerbaijan's pre-Soviet culture and identity. It also served as a step towards secularising the country, as the previous use of Arabic script had been associated with the Islamic religion.

Azerbaijanis in Iran use the Perso-Arabic script

The Azerbaijani language has three writing systems: Arabic, Latin, and Cyrillic. The Arabic script was first introduced to the region in the 7th century and was used until the 1920s. During this period, three different versions of the Arabic script were used: the 28-letter Arabic script, the 32-letter Perso-Arabic script, and the 33-letter Turkic Arabic script. However, none of these scripts were ideal for writing Azerbaijani, and various reforms were proposed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In 1929, the New Turkish Alphabet Committee in Baku created a version of the Latin alphabet for Azerbaijani. This was done with the aim of separating the Azerbaijanis in the USSR from those in Iran and promoting secularism among the Azeri Muslim population. The Latin script was replaced by the Cyrillic script in 1939 under the order of Joseph Stalin, who wanted to sever the Soviet Azerbaijani Turks' ties with the Turkish people in the Republic of Turkey.

After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan reverted to a modified Latin script, which is currently used in the country. However, the Azerbaijanis in Iran have continued to use the Perso-Arabic script, which is also known as Azeri Turk. This script is used mainly in the northwest region of Iran, where South Azerbaijani is spoken.

The use of the Perso-Arabic script in Iran has been a topic of discussion among intellectuals and scholars. Some have argued that the Arabic script should be replaced with the Latin script, while others have wanted to maintain the use of Cyrillic. Ultimately, the decision to continue using the Perso-Arabic script in Iran reflects the specificities of the Azerbaijani language in the country and the desire to preserve its unique characteristics.

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