How did Seljuq migrations influence the people and language of Azerbaijan?

The Seljuq migrations of the 11th century were a pivotal turning point in the history of Azerbaijan, fundamentally altering both its demographic composition and linguistic landscape.

Demographic Influence

Before the 11th century, the population of eastern Transcaucasia consisted of indigenous groups, including Iranian speakers and Caucasian Albanians, who had been heavily influenced by Persian culture during the Sāsānian dynasty. The arrival of Oghuz Seljuq tribes introduced a dominant Turkic strain to the region. This process of Turkicization continued through subsequent centuries, including during the Mongol conquests, resulting in the mixed ethnic origins of the modern Azerbaijani people.123

Linguistic Influence

The Seljuq invasions directly resulted in the linguistic dominance of Oghuz Turkic languages in the region. The Azerbaijani language, which belongs to the West Oghuz group of this branch, emerged from this period of transition. While the region remained under significant Persian social and cultural influence, the Seljuq influx established the Turkic linguistic foundation that characterizes the country today.241