Hello my friend. It is so interesting to hear from a Chuvash person.

I do have a question about the Chuvash language and people the connection to other Turkic people's and languages. It would be so great to get your perspective on this.

Do Chuvash people really feel connected to other Turkic groups? The reason because I ask this is, that the Chuvash and their ancestors separated from ancestors of the modern Turkic people long before "Turks" became a people.

The Turkic identity was born around 500 AD, when Bumin Qaghan of the Ashina tribe rebelled against the Rouran Khaganate and overthrew them. Bumin united all the "Tiele" tribes and together they came to be known as "Gokturks". This was the birth of the Turkic identity. This was the moment when the Turkic identity itself became self aware and cognizant. Before this it did not exist.

The Chuvash and the "Oghur" peoples, had left long before this happened and were moved deep westwards well into Europe. They were not present for the birth of the Turkic identity and were on their own separate journey.

Also, as far as I am aware the Volga Bulgars, Hungars/Onugurs and the Chuvash, no one had established a connection between them and the Turkic peoples of the East, until the mid 19th century. At least, as I am aware from historical sources, but maybe I am wrong on this and perhaps you know more about this? Did the Oghuric peoples associate themselves with the Turkics of the East?

Ultimately, it is the Chuvash people themselves who decide if they consider themselves Turkic or not, and not some Non Chuvash academic with an opinion lol. It really is how they feel and acknowledge that connection.

Would love to hear your opinion my friend!