Cultural Post One:
Because Turkish uses the Latin alphabet, I’m finding it easier to learn than a character-based language. The Latin alphabet was only introduced, however, in 1928 under the rule of Ataturk, who wanted to westernize much of Turkey’s culture. Previously, Turkish was written with a version of the Perso-Arabic script. While Turkish has some Arabic influences, some sounds and letters in the Arabic script don’t exist in Turkish, making it an imperfect script for the Turkish language. Romanization of Turkish was opposed by many, and some proposed merely to modify the current script, arguing that a Latin alphabet would separate Turkey and Turkish identity from the rest of the Islamic world. However, in 1928, the Latin alphabet was adopted and made mandatory.
Cultural Post Two:
Ever since Greece won its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832, relations between the two countries have been strained. The Greco-Turkish War (1897), the First Balkan War (1912), World War I (1914), and the second Greco-Turkish War (1919) didn’t help matters. In the 1930s, though, the two countries reconciled briefly before fighting again over Cyprus in the 1950s. The history of conflict is interesting, as the two countries share many similar cultural aspects, from food to music. Each country will, according to Merve (my language partner) claim that “they did it first,” no matter what the issue is. Now, however, it is more crucial than ever for these two countries to cooperate, as they both face massive influxes of refugees.
Cultural Post Three:
Turkey is almost completely Muslim, with 98% of the population identifying as such. This number is so high because the state automatically registers every new child born as Muslim, except if the parents are registered as part of another officially recognized religion. 1% of the population is not religious, and the other 1% is Christian or “Other” religion. Most Turks are Sunni Muslims, with about 80.5% of the Muslim population, and Shia Muslims, with 16.5% of the Muslim population. Technically, Turkey is a secular country with no officially recognized religion, but most public schools have religion classes focusing on Islam. This is interesting to me, as I have spent time in France, which is another secular country. In France, however, it is illegal to talk about religion or wear religious objects in public spaces. The difference in Turkey’s culture might be because religion has played a role in the Turkish culture for so long that it’s difficult to completely eradicate that influence from public spaces.
Cultural Post Four:
Turkey takes part in many Islamic religious holidays. Fascinating, because Turkey is technically a secular country. For example, most Turks take part in the 30 days of fasting during Ramadan. Many religious holidays focus on visiting family members and reconnecting. In particular, children visit the elderly— both their own family members and older people in Turkish equivalents of nursing homes. They kiss the elders’ hands to show respect, and in turn, the elders give the children money or candy. Religious holidays are very important in the Turkish culture because there is a large emphasis on respecting authority and honoring people that are older than you.
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