A Comparative Study of Subordinate Conjunctions in Azerbaijani and English: A Typological Perspective

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of subordinate conjunctions in Azerbaijani and English, examining their syntactic structures, semantic functions, and frequency of usage. Drawing from a diverse corpus of literary, academic, and spoken texts, the research reveals significant typological differences between the two languages. Azerbaijani, with its agglutinative and head-final structure, uses flexible clause positioning and morphological markers, whereas English adheres to a fixed, head-initial clause arrangement. The semantic analysis categorizes conjunctions into causal, conditional, temporal, and adversative types, highlighting unique patterns and preferences in each language. Additionally, frequency analysis shows a higher density of conditional conjunctions in Azerbaijani, reflecting cultural emphasis on hypothetical relationships. These findings have important implications for translation, language teaching, and linguistic theory, offering practical tools and insights for both academic and applied linguistics. The study also identifies limitations, such as the focus on written texts, and suggests directions for future research, including analysis of spoken language and digital communication.