The Republican Era and Language Reform

With the proclamation of the Republic in 1923 and after the process of national integration in the 1923-1928 period, the subject of adopting a new alphabet became an issue of utmost importance.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk had the Latin alphabet adapted to the Turkish vowel system, believing that to reach the level of contemporary civilization, it was essential to benefit from western culture.

The creation of the Turkish Language Society in 1932 was another milestone in the effort to reform the language.

The studies of the society, later renamed the Turkish Linguistic Association, concentrated on making use again of authentic Turkish words discovered in linguistic surveys and research and bore fruitful results.

At present, in conformity with the relevant provision of the 1982 Constitution, the Turkish Language Association continues to function within the organizational framework of the Atatürk High Institution of Culture, Language and History.

The essential outcome of the developments of the last 50-60 years is that whereas before 1932 the use of authentic Turkish words in written texts was 35-40 percent, this figure has risen to 75-80 percent in recent years.

This is concrete proof that Atatürk's language revolution gained the full support of public.

USEFUL WORDS

Yes    : Evet

No      : Hayır

Please : Lütfen

Thank You    : Teşekkür Ederim

Excuse me   : Pardon

What  : Ne

How   : Nasıl

How much    : Ne Kadar

Who   : Kim

When : Ne Zaman

What time is it  : Saat Kaç ?

Frend : Arkadaş

Bigg / Small : Büyük / Küçük

Hot / Cold    : Sıcak / Soğuk

Left / Right  : Sol / Sağ

Near / Far    : Yakın / Uzak

Early / Late  : Erken / Geç

Good / Bad   : İyi / Kötü

Beautiful   : Güzel

Street       : Sokak

Sun / Sea : Güneş / Deniz

Water : Su

MEETING PEOPLE

Hello   : Merhaba

Good Morning : Günaydın

Good Evening : İyi Akşamlar

How are you ? : Nasılsın ?

I don’t understand : Anlamıyorum

I don’t know : Bilmiyorum

AT THE HOTEL

I want : İstiyorum

Double room : İki Kişilik Oda

Single Room : Tek kişilik oda

Soap / Shampoo : Sabun / Şampuan

To change the room : Oda Değiştirmek

Toilet Paper : Tuvalet Kağıdı

Please wake us at 6 am : Lütfen bizi altıda uyandırın

EATİNG OUT

Bon aprttit : Afiyet olsun

Rare / Medium : az / orta

Chears : Şerefe

Red Wine : Kırmızı Şarap

Soft drink : Alkolsüz içecek