Adoption of Turkish Letters

Historical Importance and Background

The Acceptance of Turkish Letters is an important event that took place approximately one month after the opening of the 1st Turkish Language Congress in Turkey, on November 1, 1928, with the adoption of the Law on the Acceptance and Implementation of Turkish Letters. With this law, the writing system used in Turkey was converted from the Arabic alphabet to the Latin alphabet. This change was a significant step towards the modernization of the Turkish language and integration with the Western world.

In the 1920s, Turkey embarked on various language reforms in order to free the Turkish language from the influence of foreign languages and create a national language. Steps such as the establishment of the Turkish Language Association and the restructuring of the Turkish language were taken during this period. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, aimed to strengthen the identity of the Turkish nation with the language reform. Therefore, the Acceptance of Turkish Letters event is considered a turning point in the formation of the Turkish national identity.

Development of the Event

Historical Context of the Period

In the 1920s, Turkey was undergoing a major transformation process following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The Republic of Turkey was established as a result of the Turkish War of Independence under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. During this process, the modernization of Turkey and its integration with the Western world were targeted. Language reform was also part of these modernization efforts.

Preceding Developments of the Event

Prior to the Acceptance of Turkish Letters event, the Turkish alphabet was commonly written with Arabic letters. However, this writing system posed difficulties in accurately expressing the sounds of the Turkish language. Therefore, a switch to the Latin alphabet was proposed in order to write Turkish more effectively. This proposal was accepted as part of the language reform, paving the way for the Acceptance of Turkish Letters.

The 1st Turkish Language Congress held in 1928 served as an important platform for the organization of the Turkish language and the change of the Turkish alphabet. During the congress, it was decided to create a new writing system for Turkish based on the Latin alphabet. Following this decision, the Law on the Acceptance and Implementation of Turkish Letters was adopted on November 1, 1928, and work began on the implementation of the new writing system.

Consequences and Implications

The Acceptance of Turkish Letters event resulted in many short-term effects and long-term outcomes in Turkey. In the short term, there was a significant change in areas such as the education system, press, publications, and official correspondence with the adoption of the new writing system. Writing Turkish with the Latin alphabet enabled the language to be used more effectively and comprehensibly.

In the long term, the Acceptance of Turkish Letters event contributed greatly to the modernization of the Turkish language and its integration with the Western world. The Latin alphabet facilitated the international understanding and spread of Turkish. Additionally, changing the Turkish alphabet served as a step towards strengthening the identity and culture of the Turkish nation.

Historical Importance and Reflections to the Present

The Acceptance of Turkish Letters event is a significant milestone in the modernization process of the Turkish language. Its effects are still felt today. The Latin alphabet has enabled Turkish to be represented more effectively on the international stage. This change played an important role in Turkey's integration with the Western world and the process of globalization.

Furthermore, the Acceptance of Turkish Letters event emphasizes that language is an important part of national identity and culture. Efforts to strengthen the national identity of the Turkish nation were concretely demonstrated with this event. Writing Turkish with the Latin alphabet signifies a desire to preserve the history, culture, and values of the Turkish nation.

The Acceptance of Turkish Letters event shows that language is not just a means of communication, but also a part of a nation's identity and culture. It serves as an example that highlights the importance of language and language reform in history. The lessons learned from this event regarding the preservation, development, and strengthening of the national identity through language remain significant today.