The Turkish language

The Turkish language, with its deep historical roots and remarkable evolution, is one of the most fascinating languages in the world. It belongs to the Turkic language family, which stretches across a vast geographical area from Turkey to Central Asia and even parts of Siberia. Over centuries, Turkish has undergone significant transformations due to migrations, cultural exchanges, and political changes.

Origins of the Turkish Language

Turkish is part of the Oghuz branch of the Turkic language family, which also includes Azerbaijani, Turkmen, and Uzbek. The earliest known form of Turkic languages can be traced back to the Orkhon inscriptions (8th century CE) found in Mongolia. These inscriptions, written in the ancient Göktürk alphabet, are among the first written records of the language, offering insight into early Turkic grammar and vocabulary.

During this period, the Turkic peoples were nomadic and spread across the Eurasian steppes. As they migrated westward, they came into contact with various cultures, including Persian, Arabic, and Greek civilizations, influencing the development of their language.

Turkish During the Seljuk and Ottoman Eras

1. The Influence of Persian and Arabic

With the rise of the Seljuk Empire (11th–13th centuries) and later the Ottoman Empire (1299–1922), Turkish absorbed many Persian and Arabic words, especially in literature, administration, and religion. This period is known as Ottoman Turkish, which was a complex mix of:

  • Turkish (the core structure and grammar)

  • Persian (for poetic and literary expressions)

  • Arabic (for religious and philosophical terms)

As a result, Ottoman Turkish became highly sophisticated but also difficult for the common people to understand due to the heavy use of foreign loanwords and an Arabic-based script.

The Language Reform: The Birth of Modern Turkish

A major turning point in the history of Turkish came with the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Recognizing the need for a simpler and more accessible language, Atatürk launched a language reform in 1928 that drastically changed Turkish:

  1. Switch from the Arabic script to the Latin alphabet

    • The Arabic script was difficult to use for Turkish phonetics, so it was replaced with a modified Latin alphabet to improve literacy rates.

  2. Removal of Persian and Arabic words

    • Many foreign loanwords were replaced with words derived from Turkish roots, and new vocabulary was introduced.

  3. Standardization and Simplification

    • The grammar and spelling of Turkish were modernized to make learning and writing more straightforward.

These reforms made Turkish more accessible to the general population and played a crucial role in shaping the modern identity of Turkey.

Turkish Today and Its Global Influence

Today, Turkish is spoken by over 85 million people as a native language, mainly in Turkey and Cyprus, with large communities in Europe (especially Germany) and Central Asia. It remains a dynamic language, constantly evolving with new words influenced by technology, globalization, and English.

The Turkish Language Association (TDK) continues to regulate and develop the language, ensuring it adapts to modern times while preserving its historical essence.