HOPA

Laz are called by neighbouring Hemşinli (islamized ethnic Armenians) Con (Tsan, Tson, Jan) or something like that. Is that correct?.. In return, Laz people call Hemşinli with their "proper" name -- Ermeni (no translation needed, right?)People in that area are reluctant to say who they are for very obvious reasons: the society is far from being friendly to non-Turks. So, for example, if you ask Hemşinli person a question: who are you? The first answer will be "I am a Turk". "Sure?" "Yes absolutely, some will say, we are Cepni, we are Baş-Turks, the original ones, the real Turks, our ancestors came from Middle Asia." Ok."Then why do you use a language different from Turkish?", you may ask They may reply, "we lived for so long among Armenians and we adapted their language". Hmmm. I don't buy that argument. Well, after they trust you little more they may open up and tell you something about being associated with Anatolians, Kurds, Pontians. More precisely, they will call themselves Laz. Even more precisely, Hemşinli. And deep inside, they would know, Hemşinli speak Armenian language, so after all they must be Armenians... Very deep inside.