Turkish as a heritage language: A scoping review of previous studies and suggestions for future research

Kirmizi G. D., ÜZÜM M.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BILINGUALISM, 2025 (AHCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/13670069251358077
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BILINGUALISM
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, EBSCO Education Source, Linguistic Bibliography, Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, DIALNET
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Aims and objectives: The objective of this scoping review is to provide an overview by analysing studies conducted on heritage language, specifically Turkish, in which participants speaking Turkish as a heritage language were recruited.Methodology: In this study, a quantitative descriptive scoping review was used. To this end, relevant studies were systematically reviewed and summarized, and trends and gaps in the literature on Turkish as a heritage language were identified.Data and analysis: The scoping review involved a total of 93 studies: 77 research articles, six book chapters, seven dissertations, and three MA theses accessible in the JSTOR, ERIC, ProQuest, and WOS databases. The studies were reviewed on the basis of (a) the definition of the concepts of 'heritage language' and 'heritage speaker' of Turkish, (b) the theoretical frameworks used, (c) the type of variables, instruments, and designs, and (d) other substantive features, for example, the location of the research.Findings/conclusions: The results show that the focus of definitions of heritage language and heritage speaker was mostly social and that the most common theoretical frameworks used were cognitive, social, and human learning, respectively. In addition, cognitive variables, interviews, and cross-sectional designs were other most common features in the selected studies.Originality: These findings provide insights for future research in terms of gaps identified and research trends in Turkish as a heritage language.Significance/implications: As a result of the increasing Turkish immigrant population in Europe and other countries, the use of Turkish in the heritage context has attracted researchers' interest for several years. However, Turkish as a heritage language has not been closely examined in terms of synthesizing previous research. It is hoped that the findings of this review will shed light on practice and policy related to the Turkish community in the immigrant context.