Baku: President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the need to protect the Azerbaijani language from foreign influences during his speech at the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS). The president’s remarks highlighted the importance of maintaining the purity of the native language, noting that it is a matter of national identity.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Tale Heydarov, the founder of the European Azerbaijan School, TEAS PRESS Publishing House, and Libraff bookstores, echoed the president’s concerns in a social media statement. Heydarov pointed out that the issue has been long-standing and insufficiently addressed by institutions and individuals. He expressed regret that the topic is not being adequately presented to the public, attributing this to either indifference or a lack of awareness about the extent of foreign influence on the language.

Heydarov acknowledged the inevitability of adopting foreign terms due to global scientific and technological advancements. He noted that while adopting new terms enriches the language, it should not compromise the integrity of the mother tongue or national identity. Heydarov emphasized that unnecessary use of foreign words poses a threat to the purity of the Azerbaijani language, as highlighted by President Aliyev.

The prevalence of foreign words in media and everyday speech is attributed to the influence of foreign television and radio, according to Heydarov. He stressed the need for local media to improve program quality to attract viewers back to Azerbaijani content. Heydarov also called for stricter language standards on broadcast platforms and suggested legal measures against non-compliant institutions.

Heydarov raised concerns about the education system’s role in language preservation. He noted that some schools prioritize foreign languages over Azerbaijani, which he deemed disrespectful. Furthermore, he criticized businesses for conducting transactions in foreign languages and called for greater respect for Azerbaijani in public places.

In conclusion, Heydarov stressed the urgency of raising awareness about the issue to prevent further erosion of the language and national identity. He expressed hope that President Aliyev’s statement would galvanize societal and institutional action to protect the Azerbaijani language. The European Azerbaijan School and TEAS Press Publishing House pledged to support these efforts.