The Evolution of Turkish Language and Writing System

The transition from Ottoman to Latin letters in the early 20th century marked a significant alteration in the written form of the Turkish language, rather than the language itself. This change not only aligned better with the phonetic structure of Turkish but also paved the way for linguistic reforms aimed at purifying the language from foreign influences.

From Ottomans to Today

The move towards a Latin alphabet began in the 1920s, a period of modernization and reform in Turkey. Prior to this, the Ottoman script, which descended from the Persian script, and ultimately the Arabic script, was used. These scripts, while elegant, failed to capture the intricacies of Turkish vowel sounds. Therefore, in a bid to better represent the spoken language, the phonetic Latin alphabet was adopted.

This shift not only modernized the written form of the language but also opened the door for linguistic reforms. The most notable change was the reduction of loan words from Arabic and Persian, languages that had been heavily influential in Turkish for centuries. Instead, native Turkish and Turkic words were either revived or created to reflect modern concepts.

Modern Turkish Language Reforms

Among the most significant reforms was the creation of new words following Turkish phonetics and grammar rules. For example, the word for 'airplane' was changed from the foreign-sounding 'tayyare' to a native term 'u?ak', derived from the verb 'u?mak' which means to fly. This change made the language more accessible to younger generations and simplified the learning process for even non-native speakers.

The adoption of the Latin alphabet and the subsequent reduction of foreign loan words have resulted in a more versatile and modern Turkish language. This has led to a clearer and more easily understood written form, making it easier for Turkish children to learn and for the language to adapt to new technologies and concepts.

Impact of the Alphabet Change

The decision to adopt the Latin alphabet was not just about phonetics. It was also seen as a means to disconnect from the historical and cultural ties with the Arab and Persian world, aiming to establish a closer connection with the Western world. Although some traditionalists opposed this change, arguing that it would make it harder to read the Quran, the broader benefits of the alphabet change ultimately prevailed.

In summary, the transition from the Ottoman to the Latin alphabet was a pivotal moment in Turkish history, marking the rebirth of a language that is now better suited to the modern world. This evolution has made Turkish not only more phonetically accurate but also more accessible and adaptable to future linguistic changes.

Key Points:

Transition from Arabic to Latin alphabet in the 1920s. Reduction of Arabic and Persian loan words. Creation of new Turkish words following phonetic and grammatical rules. Modernization of the written language for better representation of spoken Turkish.

Keywords: Turkish language, alphabet change, written language evolution