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Turkic-Mongolian Language Contact: The Case of Kyrgyz

Project description

Let’s talk about the Turkic-Mongolian influence on Kyrgyz

The official language of Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz, is unique. It has simple vocabulary transfers represented by lexical borrowings (such as in other Turkic languages) and it also shows influences from a Mongolian substrate. This substrate influence, usually defined with the term ‘interference’, can be seen in the phonological, morphological and syntactic levels of Kyrgyz and also in regional borrowings, something that is rarely the case in other Turkic languages. In this context, the EU-funded TMCKyrgyz project will explore the extent to which Mongolian languages influenced the formation of Kyrgyz. Research will consider the age-long, intense linguistic contact amongst the Turkic- and Mongolian-speaking tribes that eventually formed the basis of Kyrgyz ethnicity.

Objective

Kyrgyz is a bridge language in terms of historical-comparative linguistics, the geographical territory of which is located between different groups of Turkic languages on the one side, and Turkic and Mongolian languages on the other. From the perspective of Turkic-Mongolian linguistic contacts, the Kyrgyz language is unique in that it has not only simple vocabulary transfers represented by lexical borrowings which in varying degrees can be seen in other Turkic languages, but it also shows influences from a Mongolian substrate. This substrate influence, usually defined with the terms “interference” or “imposition”, reveals itself not only in the phonological, morphological and syntactic levels of Kyrgyz but also in regional borrowings, something that is rarely the case in other Turkic languages.
The question of the influence of Turkic-Mongolian language contacts on the formation of these two language groups has already been discussed in relevant linguistic and historical studies. However, the subject of borrowings and/or Mongolian-based contact-induced change in Kyrgyz has never been studied in detail, even though the existence of large-scale Mongolian influence on Kyrgyz vocabulary has sometimes been commented upon in certain studies.
The project aims to determine the degree and depth of influence of the Mongolian languages on the formation of Kyrgyz owing to the age-long, intense linguistic contact among the Turkic- and Mongolian-speaking tribes that eventually formed the basis of Kyrgyz ethnicity. The project seeks to expand our knowledge about the nature, scope, and mechanisms of linguistic contacts in general and of Turkic and Mongolian languages in particular. These aims will be achieved by studying not only borrowings but also those features in Kyrgyz that appeared through the influence of the Mongolian substrate. The research will be mainly based on the comparative-historical, comparative-typological and etymological methods of linguistic analysis.

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020

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Coordinator

JOHANNES GUTENBERG-UNIVERSITAT MAINZ
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 174 806,40
Address
SAARSTRASSE 21
55122 MAINZ
Germany

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Region
Rheinland-Pfalz Rheinhessen-Pfalz Mainz, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 174 806,40
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