This paper explores the sociolinguistic characteristics of the Talysh language across its geographic distribution, specifically in Northern Talysh (or Talyshistan) within the Republic of Azerbaijan – extending from Jalilabad (Hamosharu) to the northern outskirts of Astara along the Iranian border – and in Southern Talysh, located in the Islamic Republic of Iran, stretching from Iranian Astara in the north to Fuman in the south. The ethnic territory inhabited by the Talysh people, which constitutes the primary area for the development and functioning of the Talysh language, forms a relatively narrow strip along the southwestern edge of the Caspian Sea basin. In Northern Talysh, nearly the entire population is bilingual, possessing fluency in both Talysh and Azerbaijani. However, the nature and degree of this bilingualism vary by region. In the northern areas, particularly from Jalilabad to Naftalan, Azerbaijani tends to dominate, with Talysh usage largely confined to the older generations. Conversely, in regions such as Yardimli (Vargadiz), Lerik (Lik), and Masalli (Masalon), Talysh remains the primary language, and Azerbaijani is typically acquired during formal schooling. In the southern part of this region, around Astara, a relative balance between the two languages is maintained. The sociolinguistic situation in Southern (Iranian) Talysh presents a different pattern. Immediately south of Astara, in districts such as Namin and Parsabad, trilingualism involving Talysh, Persian, and Turkic languages is commonly observed. In some areas, including Namin, Talysh is spoken predominantly by the older population. Further south, extending to Fuman, Talysh maintains a relatively strong presence within a trilingual environment consisting of Talysh, Gilaki, and Persian.
Асатрян et al. (Wed,) studied this question.