The value of words
Turkey imposes strict language policies - yet Kurdish is gaining recognition
Freiburg, Dec 06, 2017
Foto: mfk/Good Free Photos
Laptop, jogging, coffee to go: In Germany, words borrowed from English are suspected of crowding out traditional expressions. The Turkish government has the same fears for the Turkish language. It has launched a campaign to try to stop the use of borrowed words. Yet Ankara is tougher on Kurdish than it is on English; in Turkish schools it is illegal to teach in Kurdish. Assistant professor Dr. Ruth Bartholomä of the Orientalisches Seminar has found out that Kurdish is gaining public recognition - despite the state’s best efforts.
72fc9b6bda8bff27cb40d75f40916f39