Aliyev warns erosion of Azerbaijani language threatens national identity

 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday that protecting the Azerbaijani language is a duty of every citizen and warned that the growing use of foreign words could undermine national identity and statehood.

Speaking to local television channels, Aliyev said the Azerbaijani language has been preserved throughout history and remains largely unchanged from the language spoken by previous generations.

“Foreign words do not enrich the language. They gradually erode it and weaken national identity,” Aliyev said, adding that while learning foreign languages is important, they should be used only when necessary.

He warned that the loss or degradation of the national language could ultimately lead to the loss of national identity and, in the long term, threaten statehood.

Commenting on science and education, Aliyev said reforms are inevitable if Azerbaijan wants genuine scientific progress, noting that the success of developed countries is built on education, knowledge and science rather than oil and gas.

Aliyev said that 10 new universities have been established in Azerbaijan over the past 20 years as part of a state policy aimed at building a well-educated society.

N.Tebrizli