Why
Learn Turkish?
Linguistic Reasons
The alphabet is similar to English
A language for cheap and easy immersion opportunities.
There are ample opportunities in Australia for the learner to use
the language.
A phonetic language
The Turkish alphabet consists of 29 letters, each representing only
one sound, thus it is easy to read.
Regular grammar rules.
Systemic sound system
Many English sounding words.
Flexible word order
Historical Reasons
The remains of the earliest known human settlement is
at Catal Hoyuk near Konya (7500BC)
Australia has historical ties with Turkey resulting from the Gallipoli
campaign (WWI)
Turkey was the cradle of many different civilizations. Many Australian
archaeologists are involved in historical research in Turkey.
Economic Reasons
Turkish speaking countries could provide opportunities
for economic relations in the near future. Australian firms currently
operate in some of these countries.
Travel Reasons
Turkey is an important tourism destination, both for
historical and natural riches.
You can find native people who speak Turkish, from Belgrade all the
way to Xinjiang in China.
Turkish in Victoria
Turkish is taught in 10 primary, 6 secondary and 10 Victorian
School of Languages (VSL) centres in Victoria
Turkish is regularly broadcast on SBS and 3ZZZ radios.
A number of Turkish newspapers and magazines are published
in Australia.
There are large Turkish communities in the municipalities
of Broadmeadows, Thomastown, Sunshine, Keilor, Brunswick, Collingwood,
Richmond, Mentone, Springvale, and Dandenong. Large Turkish communities
are also settled in Mildura and Shepparton.
Did
You Know That…
Turkish is one of the oldest languages?
Turkish is the mother tongue of about 250 million people?
There are over 100,000 speakers of Turkish in Australia?
There are over 50 Turkish restaurants and shops on Sydney Road alone?
Some Turkish words frequently used in English:
kebab
kiosk
kilim
kismet
kayak
yoghurt
doner
caviar
khan
General Knowledge and Contributions
Anatolia has always been a cradle for multiculturalism.
Many civilizations flourished in Anatolia: Hittite, Lydia, Persian,
Phoenician, Roman, Byzantium, Greek, Seljuk, Ottoman Empire, and Turkish
Republic.
According to Biblical explanations, Noah’s Ark landed on Mt.
Ararat in northeastern Turkey.
The first written treaty was signed at Kadesh between Anatolians and
Egyptians.
The horse was domesticated by Turkish tribes in Central Asia.
Asian inventions and knowledge were carried to Europe by the “Big
Turkish Migration” after 600AD.
The anecdotes of Nasreddin Hodja are told all over the world.
Turkish literature, notably poetry and fiction, has a remarkable tradition
and has been widely translated.
The Australian continent is shown on Turkish explorer Piri Reis’
map (dated 18th century)
Hezarfen Ahmet Chelebi was the first person to fly across the Bosphorus
by mounting wings on his arms.
Turkish cuisine is one of the richest in the world.
Turkish delight and Turkish coffee have become trademarks all over
the world.
Many tulip varieties were developed by Turkish horticulturists.
Army divisions, camouflage and the military band were introduced by
the Ottomans.
Turkey is a secular, parliamentary democracy.
Further information:
For assistance in establishing and developing a Turkish
language program, contact:
LOTE, ESL and Multicultural Education Branch, Department
of Education, employment and Training. http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/lem
Turkish Teachers' Association of Victoria (TTAV) sayar.hasan.i@edumail.vic.edu.au
