Like other Turkic languages, the Tatar language originates in ancient Turkic, with written linguistic records dating back to the 5th century. Over time, it underwent significant linguistic changes. As a result of the interaction between Bolghar and Qypchaq tribal languages and through a long and complex linguistic process, the modern Tatar language we know today emerged. This linguistic evolution can be divided into several key periods.
Before the 13th century, written materials in the Volga-Kama region (the State of Bolghar) were lost due to historical upheavals.
The earliest known literary work in Tatar is the epic poem "Qıssa-i Yosıf," created by the poet Qol Ğali between 1212 and 1233. Qol Ğali is credited with laying the foundation for Bolghar-Tatar poetry. Despite being written over 750 years ago, "Qıssa-i Yosıf" continues to maintain its popularity among Tatars, who commonly refer to it as 'Yosıf Kitabı' (The Book of Joseph). The language used in this epic is primarily Bolghar-Qypchaq, enriched with Oghuz elements. It is occasionally described as the language of the Western region of the Golden Horde or Volga Turkic.
Other literary examples from this period include "Məxəbbətnamə" by Xarəzmi, the epic poem "Cömcömə soltan" by Xisam Katib, and "Nəhcel-Fəradis" by Məxmüd bine Ğali.
While written records began to appear, much of the Tatar language's literary expression remained in the oral tradition, with storytelling, poetry, and folklore playing a crucial role in preserving the language.
During the 15th century, especially during the Khanate of Kazan (1436-1552), a common popular language developed alongside a uniform literary language.
Poetry and prose continued to be important forms of literary expression. Significant literary works from this period include the Tatar national epic "İdegəy," which depicts events and heroic deeds in the late 14th century, and works like "Töxfəyi mərdan" (1539) and "Nuri sodur" (1542) by Möxəmmədyar.
Tatar literature continued to be primarily written in the Arabic script during this period, reflecting the Islamic influence. The Tatar-speaking population was spread across a vast area, leading to the development of regional dialects. However, efforts were made to create a common literary language that would unite Tatars from various regions. The Old Tatar language, as used in the Khanate of Kazan, was also spoken in the Khanate of Astrakhan, by the Mishars, Bashkirs, and parts of the Kazakh and Kyrghyz people.
It should be mentioned that during the existence of the Kazan Khanate (1438-1552) Russian forces invaded Kazan at least ten times, but supply difficulties forced Ivan the Terrible to withdraw. Russia annexed land west of Volga, which further weakened the khanate. In 1552, the Khanate of Kazan fell. After that, an uprising started in the region, lasting several years until its final suppression in 1556. The Tsar responded with a policy of ethnic cleansing in the occupied lands, and christianization and russification of Tatars and other indigenous people.
The old literary language, which had initially formed based on the spoken language, continued its traditions but became heavily influenced by Arabic and Persian elements.
By the early 19th century, the literary language had diverged significantly from the vernacular, making it not understandable for a less educated segment of the population and less effective for general communication.
Forward-thinking educators and scholars, such as Ğəbderəxim Utız İməni, Əbelmənix, Ğəbdelcabbar Qandalıy, and Qayum Nasıyri, made efforts to bridge the gap between the literary and spoken language, aiming for a more accessible form of communication.
During this period, the Tatar national literary language began to take shape based on the vernacular. Literary samples were included in chrestomathies and dictionaries, and grammars were compiled. In 1862, Tatar vernacular started being taught at Kazan University.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a literary renaissance for the Tatar language. Prominent poets and writers like Mirzә Şәfi Vazeh and Ğabdulla Tuqay contributed to the development of modern Tatar literature. Tuqay's works, in particular, are celebrated for their contributions to Tatar national identity.
The contemporary Tatar press also expanded, with Tatar newspapers and periodicals being not only published in Kazan and Ufa but appearing also in many other cities with a sizable Tatar population. Tatar newspapers and periodicals appeared in Petersburg, Moscow, Samara, Orenburg, Astrakhan, Uralsk, Simbirsk, Yekaterinburg, Troitsk, Tomsk, Semipalatinsk, and in Tashkent. Right after the revolution of 1917 Tatar newspapers appeared also in Omsk, Novosibirsk, Sterlitamak, Zlatoust, Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan), Bukhara (Uzbekistan), Orsk, Perm, Berezniki, Kharkov, Penza, Donetsk, Petropavlovsk, and Nizhniy Novgorod.
In 1927, a Latin alphabet was introduced to replace the Arabic alphabet and was in use until 1939.
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