Kirkuk Turkmen Turkish Linguistic features (sound and morphology) in Reşit Kazım Bayatlı's Poems

Kirkuk, situated in northern Iraq, boasts a rich historical legacy spanning more than 1,400 years and is home to a population over 1 million individuals. Around 30% of Iraq's populace consists of Turkmen people, and the specific language spoken by the Turkmen residing in Kirkuk is referred to as Azerbaijani Turkish. Although not recognized as an official language in Iraq, this regional dialect is extensively utilized and embraced by the indigenous populace. Kirkuk has consistently served as a significant hub for Turkish culture and influence throughout its historical trajectory. The profound Turkmen history, language, and culture of the city are regarded as an essential component of the Turkish identity in Iraq. Reshit Kazim Bayatli, a renowned poet hailing from Kirkuk, holds a significant position in the realm of Iraqi Turkish literature. He authored poetry, essays, and stories in the Kirkuk Turkmen Turkish language, along with works in the traditional literature genres of mani and hoyrat. His publications encompass the subjects of Turkish nationalism, patriotism, and history. This study analyzes Bayatli's "Selected Works" and "School Poetry and Poems" from a phonological standpoint. The Arabic script works were initially transcribed into the Latin alphabet and subsequently subjected to analysis. Kirkuk Turkish consists of 9 vowels and 21 consonants, and its word order closely resembles that of Turkish. The language also has loanwords from Arabic and Persian.