Hopa hemsinlis: history, language and identity

Official URL: http://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b1606883 (Table of Contents)

This thesis aims at studying with the Homşetsnak/Hemşince speaking Hopa Hemşinlis with a focus on their history, language, culture, and ethnic identity with the use of ethnographic data and oral history interviews. My analysis focuses on how Hopa Hemşinlis construct their past at the present, as well as the already existing studies on Hemşin history within a discussion of history writing in general. This study also describes the history of Hemşince focusing on the language ideologies held by Hopa Hemşinlis in addition to the processes having impact on the use of Hemşince. In this study, it is depicted that Hemşin history and language are resorted as sites for ethnic identity negotiations and discussions by researchers as well as Hopa Hemşinlis. Although there have been endeavors to attain Turkish and Armenian origins to Hopa Hemşinlis, which still continue today, Hopa Hemşinlis exhibit a strong sense of Hemşinli identity.