Second Language Learning Word Complexity in The Simplification Movements in Turkey in the Period of Ataturk (1923-1938)
Zeynel Polat & Ibrahim Can Yanar
English Language Teaching Department, Tishk International University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Published: February 22, 2023
Abstract
The enlightenment and modernization movements that western societies entered after the 18th century gave birth to the nation states, which were a political unit in the next period. There are three most important concepts that nation states focus on: the land they live on, a common language, and a common religion. In this context, the language issue came to the fore and became one of the main issues that were addressed in the founding of the modern Turkish Republic. After the alphabet reform in 1928 during the Atatürk period, the simplification movements in the language accelerated, especially when the words in the folk language were placed in official Turkish. However, over time, this movement went beyond its purpose and ended with the introduction of the Sun Language theory by Atatürk. Atatürk, who wanted to stop this movement based on scientific data, started to use Turkish before the simplification after 1936.
Key Words: Turkey, Atatürk Period, Second language, Simplification in Language, Turkish
DOI: 10.23918/vesal2023v52