Özet
A New Theoretical Agenda: Immigrant Turkish Becomes Heritage Language
This position paper provides a general background for the specific factors involved in the study of a recent linguistic phenomenon, heritage language speaker, and by looking at the Germany case, discusses that the current status of Turkish as a minority language in Europe can be better studied and understood within the formal framework of heritage language studies. To do so, the term heritage language speaker will be briefly discussed in the light of recent studies which will be followed by a brief history of Turkish migration to Germany through the relationship between the integration process and social, educational and linguistic journey of Turkish language within the Turkish community. The paper will conclude by highlighting how theoretical formalisms specifically designed to address the unique linguistic characteristics of heritage languages can benefit studies focusing on Turkish as an immigrant language.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Heritage Language, heritage language speaker, Immigrant Turkish, Germany, input-