The Origin of Turkish

Turkish is a member of the Turkic language family and is predominantly used in Turkey and Cyprus. It is spoken by over 75 million people worldwide many of which can also be found in Greece, Bulgaria and other parts of Eastern Europe including several million immigrants in Western Europe. Turkish has been highly influenced by Ottoman Turkish and has expanded as the Ottoman Empire expanded. The story of Turkish though begins long before it was spoken in its modern form. The earliest ancestors of Turkish speakers were part of the larger group of Proto-Turkic peoples. This early proto-language is thought to have emerged around 2,500 to 3,000 years ago in the region that spans across parts of Siberia, Central Asia, and Mongolia.

Around 5th century BCE, these early Turks began to establish themselves as a distinct ethnic group. The language they spoke would have been relatively simple compared to what Turkish would become. Linguists believe that Proto-Turkic, the ancestor of all Turkic languages, was primarily an agglutinative language, meaning that it formed words by adding suffixes to a root word. By the 6th century BCE, the Turkic-speaking people were spreading across Central Asia. During this time, the language began to evolve and branch out into distinct dialects.

The most notable early writing system that recorded this evolution was the Orkhon Script, which was used by the Göktürk Khaganate (552–744 CE) in what is now Mongolia.

The Orkhon Inscriptions, discovered in the 19th century, represent some of the oldest known written records in the Turkic language. These inscriptions are monumental in the study of the Turkish language, as they provide a glimpse into the language and culture of the early Turks. The language of the Orkhon Inscriptions is considered an early form of Old Turkic, which was quite different from modern Turkish but shares many linguistic features.

As Turkic-speaking tribes began migrating westward, especially after the rise of the Seljuk Empire in the 11th century, the language started to take on new influences. The Seljuks, who ruled over vast areas of Persia, Anatolia, and the Middle East, introduced Turkic into these regions. During this period, Turkish absorbed elements from Arabic and Persian, two dominant languages of the time, especially in terms of vocabulary and literary style.

This linguistic blending continued during the rise of the Ottoman Empire (1299–1922), which spanned large parts of Southeastern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. Ottoman Turkish, the language of the Empire, was heavily influenced by Arabic and Persian, particularly in the realms of poetry, administration, and scholarship. However, it was still fundamentally a Turkic language with an agglutinative structure and the use of vowel harmony.

Ottoman Turkish was quite distinct from modern Turkish in terms of its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. It was often criticized for its complexity and its heavy reliance on foreign words, making it difficult for the average person to understand. While the language of the elite was full of Arabic and Persian loanwords, the language spoken by the common people remained closer to the original Turkic roots.

The most significant transformation in the Turkish language came with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Atatürk was determined to modernize Turkey, and part of this process involved simplifying and purifying the Turkish language. He founded the Turkish Language Association (Türk Dil Kurumu) in 1932 with the goal of standardizing Turkish and reducing the number of Arabic and Persian loanwords.

The Turkish Language Reform aimed to create a language that was both modern and more accessible to the common people. Atatürk and his reformers pushed for the adoption of simpler words and the creation of new terms from Turkic roots, rather than borrowing from Arabic or Persian. This process was not without controversy, as many felt that it was an attack on the richness and history of the Ottoman language. However, the reforms ultimately succeeded in making Turkish more consistent and easier to learn.

Key Features of the Turkish Language

Modern Turkish, with its relatively straightforward grammar and phonetic spelling known for its:

1. Agglutinative Structure: Words in Turkish are often formed by attaching various suffixes to a root word. For example, "ev" means "house," and "evlerinizden" means "from your houses" (with suffixes indicating possession and direction).
2. Vowel Harmony: Turkish has a system of vowel harmony, where the vowels within a word must harmonize in terms of their frontness or backness, as well as their roundedness.
3. SVO Word Order: While Turkish is a flexible language in terms of word order, the default structure is Subject-Verb-Object, unlike the Subject-Object-Verb structure found in many other Turkic languages.
4. Use of Suffixes: The language relies heavily on suffixes to convey grammatical information, such as tense, case, and plurality. This makes Turkish a highly inflected language.

Alphabet: A B C Ç D E F G Ğ H I I J K L M N O Ö P R S Ş T U Ü V Y Z

a b c ç d e f g ğ h ı i j k l m n o ö p r s ş t u ü v y z

Turkish Literature

Long before the written word found its way into Turkish literature, the earliest Turkic-speaking peoples had a rich tradition of oral storytelling. These stories, often told in the form of epic poetry, celebrated heroes, battles, and the deep connections between humans and nature. One of the most famous examples of early Turkish oral literature is the Dede Korkut stories, which date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. These tales, passed down through generations, are a blend of mythology, history, and folk wisdom, and they are still considered central to Turkish cultural identity.

As the Turkic people settled in various parts of Central Asia and later in Anatolia, they began to develop a written tradition. The first written Turkish works appeared around the 11th century, influenced by Arabic and Persian literary traditions. One of the most important early works is the Divan-i Hikmet (The Book of Wisdom) by the great philosopher and poet Ahmad Yesevi, a key figure in the spread of Sufism across Central Asia.

When the Seljuk Turks and later the Ottomans came to power, Persian and Arabic had a profound impact on Turkish literature. Under the Ottoman Empire (1299–1922), Turkish became a literary language of refinement, heavily influenced by Persian and Arabic vocabulary, literary forms, and poetic conventions. Ottoman Turkish poetry, especially the works of divan poets (court poets), is often seen as the epitome of classical Turkish literature.

The Ottoman Divan Poets created highly sophisticated works that employed intricate metaphors, rich symbolism, and complex rhyme schemes. These poets often wrote in Ottoman Turkish, a language that blended Turkish with large amounts of Persian and Arabic, making it quite different from the language spoken by the common people. Poets like Fuzuli became famous for their works, which were often deeply spiritual and filled with mystical references, reflecting the influence of Sufism.

One of the greatest Turkish poets from this period is Nedim, whose work reflected a more secular and exuberant view of life. His poems, which celebrated love, beauty, and the pleasures of life, contrasted with the more somber and religious themes of his predecessors. In fact, the Ottoman poetry of this period is often marked by a blending of both spiritual and worldly themes, creating a rich literary tapestry.

The 19th century saw the emergence of a major literary shift in Turkey, coinciding with the Tanzimat reforms (1839–1876). This period marked a time of modernization, when the Ottoman Empire began to adopt Western political and cultural ideals. It was during this time that Turkish literature began to develop in a more modern direction. The first important shift came with the move from the heavily Persian-influenced Ottoman Turkish to a more accessible form of Turkish.

Writers like Namık Kemal and Ziya Gökalp began advocating for a literary language that could be understood by all segments of society, not just the elite. This period saw the rise of realist and romantic literary movements, drawing on European models, and leading to the first Turkish novels.

İbrahim Şinasi, another key figure of this era, is often credited with introducing the first Turkish plays and advocating for a literary style that was simpler and more direct. His play "Şair Evlenmesi" (The Poet's Marriage) is one of the first works of modern Turkish theater.

During the 20th century, Turkish literature became increasingly diverse, with writers exploring a range of genres and styles. A landmark figure in this period was Yaşar Kemal, whose epic novel "İnce Memed" (Memed, My Hawk) became one of the most important works in modern Turkish literature. The novel tells the story of a peasant’s struggle against feudal oppression and is deeply rooted in Turkish folk traditions, while also addressing the political concerns of the time.

Another influential writer was Oğuz Atay, whose groundbreaking work "Tutunamayanlar" (The Disconnected) explored themes of alienation and existential crisis. Atay’s work is often seen as a precursor to postmodernism in Turkish literature, and he remains an iconic figure for his innovative approach to narrative and form.

Today, Turkish literature continues to evolve, with writers both in Turkey and in the diaspora gaining international recognition bringing Turkish literature to global audiences. In the last few decades, Orhan Pamuk won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006 for his novel "My Name Is Red," which blends historical fiction with philosophical and political themes.

Elif Shafak, another notable author tackles issues such as gender, identity, and cultural conflict, has become one of Turkey's most internationally successful authors. Her novel "The Forty Rules of Love" was translated into multiple languages and gained a global following.

Turkish Architecture and Art

The story of Turkish art begins in the ancient lands of Anatolia, one of the earliest centers of civilization. The Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, and Urartians, all of whom lived in this region thousands of years ago, created some of the most remarkable and distinctive art forms of their time. Archaeological sites such as Göbekli Tepe, a prehistoric temple complex dating back to around 9600 BCE. This showed that the people of ancient Anatolia were capable of highly sophisticated stone carving and symbolic art, predating even the great pyramids of Egypt. The Hittite civilization (1600–1178 BCE) left behind intricately carved reliefs and monumental sculptures, many of which depicted gods, animals, and warriors.

These pieces can be seen today at sites like Hattusa (the ancient Hittite capital) and in museums across Turkey. As Turkey’s history evolved, so did its artistic influences. When the Roman Empire split, Anatolia became part of the Byzantine Empire (330–1453 CE), and the Byzantine legacy left a profound mark on Turkish art, particularly in the realm of religious iconography and mosaics.

One of the most striking examples of Byzantine art in Turkey is found in Hagia Sophia, a monumental church in Istanbul originally built as a cathedral.

Its famous mosaics, blending Christian iconography with Greco-Roman artistic traditions, showcase the use of gold and bright colors to represent divine subjects, including Christ, the Virgin Mary, and various saints. These mosaics are considered masterpieces of Christian Byzantine art and are still visible today, even after the building was converted into a mosque and then a museum.

The Ottoman architectural style is best exemplified in the grand mosques and palaces built during this time. Sinan, the chief architect of the empire, designed some of the most remarkable structures, such as the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul and the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne.

These buildings are characterized by their grand domes, elegant minarets, intricate tile work, and expansive courtyards, combining both Islamic and Byzantine influences to create an architectural language that was both innovative and timeless.

Ottoman ceramics are another standout feature of Turkish art, particularly Iznik pottery from the 16th century. Characterized by vivid blue and white patterns, these ceramics were used for everything from tiles decorating mosques to decorative plates and bowls. The designs often included intricate floral motifs and geometric patterns, blending Persian, Chinese, and Turkish influences in a stunning display of craftsmanship.

During the early years of the republic, artists began exploring the themes of national identity, modernity, and social realism. İbrahim Çallı, Fikret Mualla Saygı, and Hüseyin Avni Lifij were among the first Turkish painters to incorporate Western art movements like Impressionism and Fauvism into their works, while also drawing inspiration from Turkish folk traditions.

The Istanbul Biennial, held every two years, has become one of the most important events for contemporary art in the world, attracting global attention and participation. This event has given many Turkish artists a platform to showcase their work on the international stage, addressing themes ranging from globalization and social justice to identity and cultural memory.

Turkey’s vibrant street art scene has also garnered global attention, particularly in cities like Istanbul, where the walls of neighborhoods like Karaköy and Kadıköy are transformed into dynamic canvases. Here, contemporary urban artists engage in political commentary, social critique, and cultural dialogue, bringing the art to the streets where everyday people can interact with it.

Noah’s Ark, Santa Claus, and Hazelnuts

According to biblical tradition, Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey is where Noah’s Ark came to rest after the Great Flood. It's the highest mountain in Turkey at 5,137 meters (16,854 feet) and a popular subject for myths and legends.

The modern-day figure of Santa Claus was inspired by Saint Nicholas, who was born in the city of Patara and became the bishop of Myra (now Demre, in southern Turkey). Saint Nicholas was known for his generosity, particularly to children, and is celebrated in Turkey as a saint of compassion. Santa Claus is from Turkey!

Turkey is the world leader in hazelnut production, accounting for nearly 70% of the global supply. This small nut is a key ingredient in many Turkish desserts, especially baklava and of course Nutella!

"Her işin başı sağlık.” "Health is the foundation of everything.”

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