1. about the subject

KERIM SHUKUROV
Chapter 1

HISTORY OF AZERBAIJAN: THEORETICAL - METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES

1. ABOUT THE SUBJECT


1.1. WHAT IS HISTORY
AZERBAIJAN HISTORY: THEORETICAL-METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
ABOUT THE SUBJECT


WHAT IS HISTORY?

THE Polysemy of “history”. The meanings of History in everyday life and sciences. Quotes about History. What is History? – one of multiple answers

As you begin to learn any subject, you first need to find the answer to the question: what does it study? Even those who start studying the history of Azerbaijan are faced with the question: What does the history of Azerbaijan deal with? This question shows a clear need to begin with the question of what history is.

The Polysemy of “history”. In order to talk about history, it is good to dwell upon the issue that is usually overlooked: What do we mean by the word history?
When reference manuals about history and school textbooks on history are translated from Russian into Azerbaijani, there is a serious incoherence against history. For example: In Old World History textbook for 6th grade, the term “History” is not interpreted for its definition, but with “istoriya” which has evolved from an ancient Greek word. In translation, it means "research" and "stories about events".
"Historia", that is, history (!) is an ancient Greek word. In translation, it means research and a story about and events. However, the term “history” is an Arabic word. S. Onullahi writes:
«In the dictionaries, history is described as the definition of time, or the determination of time. For example, it means an event which happened at a certain time, the determination of the chronicle of subsequent events. Some people, on one hand, think that, it is a matter of determining the time of the historical event and the period that follows it. While, some on the other hand, assume that history means determining the definition of time and the occurrence of events with reference to that time. For example, the time when the birth of a nation, the establishment of a state, or a natural disaster (storm, cholera, earthquake) occurred. In short, there is a specific history for each of the seven climates.
In order to find the right answer to the question, "What is history?", one must interpret the historical context in terms of its meaning and the ideas it expresses, and only then to focus on its meaning in Greek.
The meanings of history in the Azerbaijani language can be divided into two parts in terms of their use in everyday life and science: I. In everyday life - 1) in the meaning of time or date (on what date did the event take place?, to write the date of the application, etc.); 2) to describe the noteworthiness of any events ("this is a history!"); 3) in the meaning of talkativeness (to talk a good deal); 4) to tell about what happened to him - to tell his story and so on.
II. In science - 1) the process of development - in this context, every science, every event has its history; 2) belonging to society, to human life. That is why, it deals with the laws of history (society) and nature; 3) an area of knowledge which studies the past, etc. Thus, history is used at least in four meanings (two meanings in Russian) in everyday life, while in three meanings in science. In this regard, such polysemy must be taken into account when defining the term “history” and its boundaries.