Experts note that values such as culture and way of thinking, which constitute national identity, are carried to future generations through language, stating that language plays a major role in the formation, preservation of cultural memory, and in keeping society together.
“Language must be protected because it is the memory, identity, and instrument of thought of a nation,” said Lect. Selçuk Duman, Director of the Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center (ÜSTOMER). “A nation that cannot protect its language will gradually begin to lose its cultural roots and memory, which is considered an existential threat to national identity.”
Lect. Selçuk Duman stated, “Social media language is generally fast, reactive, and lacking in depth. People now express their emotions with emojis and words like ‘’ or ‘yess’, ‘ohh’ instead of ‘I am very happy, great...’. This situation can distance individuals from analytical and deep thinking habits in the long run.”
Lect. Selçuk Duman, Director of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center (ÜSTOMER), drew attention to the vital importance of language for a society's culture and identity, on the occasion of May 13 Turkish Language Day.
Culture forming national identity is carried to future generations through language
Emphasizing that language holds extremely great importance for a society's culture and identity, Lect. Selçuk Duman said, “Values such as culture and way of thinking, which constitute national identity, are carried to future generations through language. Therefore, language plays a major role in the formation, preservation of cultural memory, and in keeping society together.”
Preserving the power of thought and expression is only possible by protecting the language
“Language must be protected because it is the memory, identity, and instrument of thought of a nation,” Lect. Selçuk Duman continued:
“A nation that cannot protect its language will gradually begin to lose its cultural roots and memory, which is considered an existential threat to national identity. Furthermore, preserving the power of thought and expression is only possible by protecting the language.”
The influence of foreign languages causes the loss of lexical richness
Lect. Selçuk Duman stated that the biggest danger facing our language today is the problem of degradation and loss of depth. He explained, “This situation can be attributed to the influence of foreign languages, especially English, and the loss of the richness of vocabulary used. In various areas of daily life, English equivalents of words that have Turkish counterparts are especially preferred. However, for example, instead of 'peak yapmak' (to peak), we should use 'zirve yapmak'; instead of 'meeting', 'toplantı'; and instead of 'focuslanmak' (to focus), 'odaklanmak'. Moreover, the unconscious use of English words in brand and store names diminishes the prestige of our Turkish language in the eyes of society.”
Changes made by the Turkish Language Association can have both positive and negative effects
Pointing out that the changes made by the Turkish Language Association can have both positive and negative effects, Lect. Selçuk Duman said, “Efforts to make the language purer and clearer have been accepted by the nation for some words, and this has been seen as a reflection of a natural process of the language. However, some expressions and words were found inconsistent and insufficient, failing to find acceptance and thus rejected. Moreover, TDK (Turkish Language Association) has contributed to the enrichment and strengthening of the language by producing Turkish words corresponding to technical and scientific terms.”
As language shortens, meaning narrows
Explaining that especially the younger generations today can use hundreds of words daily through social media and digital platforms uncontrollably and unconsciously, without regard for how and how accurately they are used, Lect. Selçuk Duman continued:
“The real concern is that this situation poses a threat that could transform our language, and even our way of thinking, in the future. As language shortens, meaning narrows. The widespread use of abbreviations like ‘nbr’ (what's up), ‘tmm’ (ok), ‘slm’ (hi) in the language is not a simplification of written language; on the contrary, it is a narrowing of it. Abbreviations strip away the harmony of expressions, and the subtlety and soul of words.”
Emojis and abbreviations in language distance from analytical and deep thinking habits
Lect. Selçuk Duman also stated that the danger of social media language seeping into both everyday language and literary language is a serious and growing problem, expressing the following:
“Social media language is generally fast, reactive, and lacking in depth. People now express their emotions with emojis and words like ‘’ or ‘yess’, ‘ohh’ instead of ‘I am very happy, great...’. This situation can distance individuals from analytical and deep thinking habits in the long run. It weakens the ability to express by eroding lexical richness. Unfortunately, this superficiality threatens communication ethics and conversation culture in society. In literature, this situation appears as pollution and ambiguity that comes with an appearance of sincerity. For example, sentences written in lowercase letters, and narratives without punctuation are considered ‘unusual’. Furthermore, social media language produces content that is quickly used, discarded, and forgotten. If this situation pervades literature, it will prioritize the writing of texts that lack depth but are ‘trending’.”
The effect of foreign language is a cultural identity problem
Duman also noted that the impact of words from foreign languages, especially English, on Turkish is no longer just a language problem but a cultural identity issue. He stated, “However, the entry of these words into Turkish is an irresistible situation by the nature of language. What is important here is whether these words fill gaps in our language as a natural need. For example: using ‘check etmek’ instead of ‘kontrol etmek’ (to check); using ‘deadline’ instead of ‘son tarih’ (deadline) can be considered as a complex and a desire for ostentation.”
Lect. Selçuk Duman also stated that 'plaza language' is a semi-English, semi-Turkish communication tool that has emerged particularly within the white-collar segment. He remarked, “Clear thinking results in clear speaking. However, such mixed (complex) languages make thought foggy and ambiguous. This language is used to show status and 'elitism' rather than for information transfer. In other words, ostentation and artificiality replace sincerity. This situation can eventually lead to alienation from one’s own culture and identity.”
Stating that the degradation of language is an existential issue for all of us, not just institutions or scholars, Lect. Selçuk Duman concluded, “As individuals, we must set an example for the new generation by paying attention to using our language correctly and carefully. We can foster the development of this awareness by correcting the mistakes we encounter in language use with appropriate language and showing the correct way. We can contribute to the field of writing by producing works such as diaries and essays.”