The Language and Cultural Heritage of the Shor Turks

Abstract

The study of the language, literature, and culture of small Turkic peoples is among the pressing issues facing modern Turkology. Today, the Shor language has been included in UNESCO’s list of “languages in danger of extinction.” The decline of the Shor language is closely linked to deep political reasons. Having lived through a challenging history, the Shors in the 21st century are striving to preserve their language and cultural heritage. To achieve this, they mainly connect with each other through social networks, share what they have heard and remembered from their ancestors, and try to research their ethnic roots.
This article examines the historical background of the Shors — one of the small Turkic peoples living in Southwestern Siberia — and explores their ethnocultural and linguistic characteristics, as well as the language policies implemented in relation to the Shor people.
Keywords: Shor Turks, endangered language, folklore, Turkology