Linguistics the Republic of Turkey: Term Paper

The ethnic and linguistic diversity of the old empire was seen as a barrier both to modernization and to the necessary singularity of purpose that would be required to effect such momentous changes in so brief a period of time. Turkey's linguistic minorities were killed or forced to emigrate. Those that remained were encouraged, even bullied, into adopting Turkish in business, education, and all other aspects of day-to-day life. Minorities were exhorted to adopt the Turkish language, and with it, a Turkish outlook, in order to become integrated into the wider national culture and achieve success in an increasingly competitive, fast-paced, and technological world. As in other countries that have tried to force acceptance of a single national tongue, or have suppressed local languages, the consequences have often included feelings of alienation on the part of those against whom these measures have been directed. Social, cultural, and linguistic alienation, too, have led to economic disadvantage, lower levels of education, and a propensity to rebel against the central authority. In Turkey, as elsewhere, national disunity is commonly the result of too strong an attempt to impose absolute national unity. The Turkish heartlands may be strong and unified, but as recent event sin the Middle East indicate, it is fraying at the edges.

References

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