First Time in the Turkish Parliament: Speech in Laz Language

Due to 21st February International Mother Language Day, CHP deputy Prof. Mehmet Bekaroglu broke a new ground and greeted the General Assembly of Turkish Grand National Assembly in Laz language.

28 February 2018

Bekaroglu reminded that UNESCO declared International Mother Language Day in 17 November in memory of 21 February 1952 and continued:

“According to UNESCO, there are 36 languages and dialects in Turkey. 18 of them are dead and many of them face extinction. Two of those are Laz and Hemshin languages, widely spoken in my region, in Rize. What is the difference between a dying language and a dying man? Modernism, urbanisation, media and monistic state practices cause those languages to extinct.”