MAHAMMAD AMIN RASULZADE’S VIEWS ABOUT TURKISH LITERARY LANGUAGE

Abstract

The article talks about M.A. Rasulzade's attitude to the Turkish literary
language. It is shown that the prominent ideologist expresses this attitude in a
number of his articles. Thus, in the last decades of the 19th century and the
beginning of the 20th century in Turkey, there were two fronts in relation to the
literary language in the literary and cultural life. The representatives of the first
front considered it appropriate to write the works in the traditional language of
classical literature. They were supporters of the old literary language. This
language was complicated by Arabic-Persian words and expressions, which was
not understood by a wide readership. Supporters of this front were writing their
works mainly for educated people and intellectuals. In relation to the literary
language, they were showing a position far from the vernacular and the mass of the
people. Muhammad Amin bey was not liking and was criticizing their position. In
the matter of language, he was accusing them of falling away from the general
readership and the people.
The second front was consist of the supporters of the new literary language.
They were considering it appropriate to write in a simple and clear national
language that everyone could understand. In relation to the literary language, they
were acting as representatives of the folk language. They were saying that the
created works should be written not only for educated people, but for the entire
population. Everyone should understand it. Otherwise, literature cannot fulfill its
educational task and loses its power of influence. He falls away from the people.
M.A.Rasulzade was applauding this initiative of supporters of the new literary
language and saying that they are on the right path. The article clarifies M.A.
Rasulzade's position on the mentioned issues and his comments on the issue.
The prominent ideologist also talks about the influence of the Ottoman literary
language, which he calls "Western Turkish", and the literary processes related to
the language in Turkey on the literary language of Azerbaijan. It also clarifies that
the position of the supporters of the old literary language and the language policy
they are conducting have caused negative results in Azerbaijan, creating a chaos
and a complicated situation in relation to the literary language. It explains on the
basis of concrete facts what results were achieved by the writers of both Turkey
and Azerbaijan in the struggle for the literary language.