TurkoIranianlanguage

The term TurkoIranian refers to a hypothetical macrofamily of languages encompassing both the Turkic and Iranian language families. The theory suggests a deep genetic relationship between these two groups, implying they ultimately derive from a common ancestral language. This hypothesis is distinct from the concept of a Sprachbund, which describes a situation where unrelated languages in close geographical proximity develop shared linguistic features through contact and borrowing.

Proponents of the TurkoIranian hypothesis point to perceived similarities in grammar, phonology, and lexicon as evidence for a common ancestor. These similarities are argued to be more profound and systematic than those attributable to prolonged contact between Turkic and Iranian languages, which have historically coexisted and influenced each other in Central Asia and surrounding regions.

However, the TurkoIranian hypothesis remains controversial within the field of historical linguistics. Many scholars consider the evidence for a genetic link to be insufficient or open to alternative explanations, such as extensive borrowing and typological convergence. The prevailing consensus among historical linguists is that Turkic and Iranian languages constitute separate, albeit closely related, language families. The debate continues to be an active area of research.