PSU (Pyatigorsk State University) is conducting research on the current state of the Karachay-Balkar language.
A research team at PSU is continuing its work on the project with support from the Russian Science Foundation. The project lead, S. A. Khaleeva, presented the initial findings at the 7th Kazan International Linguistic Summit.
The study has identified a significant issue: although most native speakers wish to preserve the language and pass it on to future generations, Russian is increasingly being used for communication within the family. Only a quarter of parents primarily speak Karachay-Balkar with their children; the rest opt for a mix of languages or use Russian exclusively.
In October, young researchers Madina Kade and Ayshat Lepshakova carried out their first field expedition in Cherkessk. They collected over 20 interviews and 200 questionnaires, covering native speakers across various age groups. The work was conducted with the involvement of the local community, including Gymnasium No. 19.
The materials gathered will serve as a foundation for developing recommendations to support the Karachay-Balkar language.