On 24 November 2022, as Dicle University, we organized the Sociolinguistic Research Workshop, the first of its kind in Türkiye, at the Faculty of Education (Ziya Gökalp) and the Dicle University Culture and Arts Center. Supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Office and the Office of International Relations of the School of Foreign Languages, this workshop approached the deep relationship between language and society from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Since the second half of the 20th century, sociolinguistics has emerged as a field that examines how linguistic phenomena are shaped within social contexts and how meaning is conveyed, born from the intersection of language research with fields such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, and philosophy. In this context, the workshop was designed to bring together scholars and graduate students from various universities, to share current research, and to pave the way for new collaborations.
The workshop was attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Tanyıldız, Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Giray Topal, and nearly 40 researchers from 16 different universities. In his opening remarks, the Chair of the Workshop Organizing Committee, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Solmaz, highlighted the significance of this event as the first example in Türkiye. Throughout the workshop, participants shared up-to-date research on the intersection of language and society, engaging in productive discussions.
One of the significant outcomes of this workshop was the publication of the book “Sociolinguistic Research: Theoretical and Applied Approaches” by Çizgi Kitabevi, edited by Osman Solmaz, Ece H. Nazlı, and Kadri Nazlı. The book features a collection of papers presented during the workshop and offers an interdisciplinary perspective in the field of sociolinguistics. Topics covered include linguistic diversity, perceptions of non-standard Turkish variants, the relationship between sociolinguistics and grammar, humor and politeness, Anatolian dialects, the representation of female characters, and the role of sociolinguistics in language teaching.
This comprehensive event and publication have secured their place in our archive as an important step that strengthens the scientific and social contribution of our university.
📌 In the gallery below, you can find photos from the workshop, the book, and access to the workshop program.