The Turkish Alphabet

Embarking on a journey to learn a new language can be a rewarding experience, and when it comes to Turkish, mastering the alphabet is a crucial first step. In this article, we’ll explore the Turkish alphabet and provide you with a selection of additional Turkish words to expand your vocabulary. Additionally, we’ll delve into the concept of the “Customer Service Alphabet” and the importance of spelling words out loud when learning a new language. Before we go on, however, we will delve into the history of the alphabet Turkish people used and then explain the modern Turkish alphabet and explore the key figures responsible for its creation.

• Orkhon (Göktürk) Script: One of the earliest writing systems used by Turkic peoples was the Orkhon script, also known as the Göktürk script. It dates back to the 8th century and was used by the Göktürk Khaganate, one of the early Turkic empires in Central Asia. This script is known for its runic characters and was used to inscribe inscriptions on stone monuments.
• Uighur Script: The Uighur script, derived from the Sogdian script, was used by the Uighur Empire, which was located in what is now Xinjiang, China. It influenced the development of other Turkic scripts.
• Arabic Script: With the spread of Islam in the Turkic world, many Turkic-speaking communities adopted the Arabic script for writing Turkic languages. This script was used to write Ottoman Turkish, Chagatai, and other Turkic languages. It was also the script used for Ottoman Turkish until the language reform in the early 20th century.
• The Ottoman Script: Before the adoption of the modern Turkish alphabet, the Ottoman Turkish script, also known as the Arabic script, was used to write the Turkish language. This script, which had evolved over centuries, was complex and didn’t adequately represent the phonetic qualities of the Turkish language. As a result, literacy rates in Turkey were low, and the language barrier hindered communication.

The Need for Reform:

The impetus for reforming the Turkish script came with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 under the leadership of its first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Atatürk recognized that in order to modernize and westernize the country, a comprehensive language reform was necessary. A central aspect of this reform was the simplification of the script to make it more accessible to the general population.

The Creation of the New Alphabet:

In 1928, Atatürk commissioned a group of linguists to develop a new alphabet that would accurately represent the sounds of the Turkish language. The goal was to create an alphabet that was easier to learn and use, with each letter corresponding to one sound.

The new Turkish alphabet was based on the Latin script, making it more similar to the writing systems of many Western European languages. It consisted of 29 letters, with some letters borrowed from the Latin script, such as “Q,” “W,” and “X,” which were later removed as they were deemed unnecessary for the Turkish language.

The linguist who played a key role in developing the modern Turkish alphabet was Ahmet Cevat Emre. He was a prominent linguist and philologist who led the commission responsible for designing the new Turkish alphabet based on the Latin script. Along with his team of linguists and experts, including Süheyl Ünver and İsmail Hakkı Baltacıoğlu, Ahmet Cevat Emre contributed significantly to the phonetic restructuring of the Turkish writing system, making it more accessible and reflective of the Turkish language’s sounds. Their work under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk led to the adoption of the new Turkish alphabet in 1928, marking a pivotal moment in Turkish language reform.

The Turkish Alphabet:

The Turkish alphabet consists of 29 letters, and understanding its structure is essential to reading and writing in Turkish. Here’s a brief overview:

1. Aa – [a] as in “apple”
2. Bb – [b] as in “banana”
3. Cc – [c] as in “cherry”
4. Çç – [ç] as in “cheese”
5. Dd – [d] as in “dog”
6. Ee – [e] as in “elephant”
7. Ff – [f] as in “fox”
8. Gg – [g] as in “grape”
9. Ğğ – [ğ] a soft, voiceless “g” sound
10. Hh – [h] as in “house”
11. Iı – [ı] similar to the “i” in “bird”
12. İi – [i] as in “ink”
13. Jj – [j] as in “jacket” (used in loanwords)
14. Kk – [k] as in “kite”
15. Ll – [l] as in “lion”
16. Mm – [m] as in “moon”
17. Nn – [n] as in “nest”
18. Oo – [o] as in “orange”
19. Öö – [ö] similar to the “i” in “girl”
20. Pp – [p] as in “pencil”
21. Rr – [r] a rolled “r” sound
22. Ss – [s] as in “snake”
23. Şş – [ş] as in “shoe”
24. Tt – [t] as in “tree”
25. Uu – [u] as in “umbrella”
26. Üü – [ü] similar to the “u” in “blue”
27. Vv – [v] as in “violin”
28. Yy – [y] similar to the “i” in “pink”
29. Zz – [z] as in “zebra”

The Customer Service Alphabet and Spelling Words Out Loud:

In customer service scenarios or while communicating over the phone, the ability to spell words accurately is crucial. In Turkish, the customer service alphabet is used for this purpose. It involves using Turkish words to represent each letter of the alphabet, making it easier to convey information clearly. For instance:

• A as in “Ankara”
• B as in “Bursa”
• C as in “Çorlu”
• D as in “Denizli”
• E as in “Eskişehir”

What alphabets do other Turkish or Turkic people use?

1. Azerbaijan: The Azerbaijani language, a Turkic language, is written using a modified Latin script. This change was implemented in Azerbaijan during the early 20th century as part of language reforms.
2. Turkmenistan: The Turkmen language, another Turkic language, used the Latin script for a period after Turkmenistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. However, it later transitioned back to the Cyrillic script and then to a modified version of the Latin script again.
3. Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan has been gradually transitioning from the Cyrillic script to a modified Latin script for the Uzbek language since gaining independence from the Soviet Union. The transition is part of language and cultural reforms.

When learning Turkish, it’s beneficial to spell words out loud. This practice helps reinforce your understanding of the alphabet and pronunciation. By speaking the letters and words, you’ll become more comfortable with the language and improve your communication skills.

Mastering the Turkish alphabet is a fundamental step in your language-learning journey. By familiarizing yourself with the alphabet’s letters and sounds, as well as expanding your vocabulary with essential words, you’ll be better equipped to engage in conversations and navigate various situations in Turkish. Additionally, understanding the customer service alphabet and the importance of spelling words out loud will enhance your language skills and confidence. So, embrace the challenge, practice regularly, and open the door to the beauty of the Turkish language.