Language Policies and Nationalism in the Teaching of Turkish as a Foreign/Second Language During the Tanzimat and Constitutional Era

Hasan Hüseyin Mutlu; Vehbi Akdi; Muhammed Eren Uygur

Article Details

Language Policies and Nationalism in the Teaching of Turkish as a Foreign/Second Language During the Tanzimat and Constitutional Era

Authors:

Hasan Hüseyin Mutlu | Vehbi Akdi | Muhammed Eren Uygur

Publisher:

Gazi University

Main Topics:

Türkçe Eğitimi

Journal:

Gazi Üniversitesi Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.45 Issue 1, pp.383-419

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001347370

pISSN:

1301-9058

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The history of teaching Turkish as a foreign language extends back to the Huns period; however, the foundations of systematic instruction in this field were laid in the 18th and 19th centuries. Earlier efforts focused on travel and military needs, comprising grammar books, conversation guides, and dictionaries. Teaching Turkish as a foreignsecond language, particularly during the Tanzimat and Constitutional Era, saw significant advancements and was influenced by nationalist changes. During these periods, the teaching of Turkish played a critical role in achieving the İttihâd-ı Anâsır Unity of Ottoman Ethnic Elements. In this context, examining the historical and educational aspects of the policies implemented for teaching Turkish as a foreignsecond language in the relevant eras is important. Within the scope of the topic, a comprehensive review was conducted by examining archival documents, academic articles, books, and theses. The data were analyzed using the document review method. Findings indicate that from the 18th century onwards, there was an intensified focus on teaching Turkish to non-Turkish subjects of the Ottoman Empire, and the instruction of Turkish was considered critical for maintaining the integrity of the homeland. The materials in this field were predominantly prepared by non-Muslim subjects or foreign linguists. In conclusion, although the integration of the Ottoman subjects was targeted through the teaching of Turkish within the framework of Ottomanism from the Tanzimat period onwards, it has been identified that various factors, including wartime conditions, hindered the realization of this objective.

 The history of teaching Turkish as a foreign language extends back to the Huns period; however, the foundations of systematic instruction in this field were laid in the 18th and 19th centuries. Earlier efforts focused on travel and military needs, comprising grammar books, conversation guides, and dictionaries. Teaching Turkish as a foreignsecond language, particularly during the Tanzimat and Constitutional Era, saw significant advancements and was influenced by nationalist changes. During these periods, the teaching of Turkish played a critical role in achieving the İttihâd-ı Anâsır Unity of Ottoman Ethnic Elements. In this context, examining the historical and educational aspects of the policies implemented for teaching Turkish as a foreignsecond language in the relevant eras is important. Within the scope of the topic, a comprehensive review was conducted by examining archival documents, academic articles, books, and theses. The data were analyzed using the document review method. Findings indicate that from the 18th century onwards, there was an intensified focus on teaching Turkish to non-Turkish subjects of the Ottoman Empire, and the instruction of Turkish was considered critical for maintaining the integrity of the homeland. The materials in this field were predominantly prepared by non-Muslim subjects or foreign linguists. In conclusion, although the integration of the Ottoman subjects was targeted through the teaching of Turkish within the framework of Ottomanism from the Tanzimat period onwards, it has been identified that various factors, including wartime conditions, hindered the realization of this objective.

 The history of teaching Turkish as a foreign language extends back to the Huns period; however, the foundations of systematic instruction in this field were laid in the 18th and 19th centuries. Earlier efforts focused on travel and military needs, comprising grammar books, conversation guides, and dictionaries. Teaching Turkish as a foreignsecond language, particularly during the Tanzimat and Constitutional Era, saw significant advancements and was influenced by nationalist changes. During these periods, the teaching of Turkish played a critical role in achieving the İttihâd-ı Anâsır Unity of Ottoman Ethnic Elements. In this context, examining the historical and educational aspects of the policies implemented for teaching Turkish as a foreignsecond language in the relevant eras is important. Within the scope of the topic, a comprehensive review was conducted by examining archival documents, academic articles, books, and theses. The data were analyzed using the document review method. Findings indicate that from the 18th century onwards, there was an intensified focus on teaching Turkish to non-Turkish subjects of the Ottoman Empire, and the instruction of Turkish was considered critical for maintaining the integrity of the homeland. The materials in this field were predominantly prepared by non-Muslim subjects or foreign linguists. In conclusion, although the integration of the Ottoman subjects was targeted through the teaching of Turkish within the framework of Ottomanism from the Tanzimat period onwards, it has been identified that various factors, including wartime conditions, hindered the realization of this objective.

 Türkçenin yabancıikinci dil olarak öğretiminin tarihsel sürecinin Hunlar Dönemine dek uzandığı belirtilse de bu alandaki sistematik ve düzenli öğretimin temelleri 18. ve 19. yüzyıllarda atılmıştır. Daha önceki çalışmalar, çoğunlukla seyahat ve askerîye odaklı olup özel amaçlı dil öğretimi kapsamında değerlendirilebilecek; dil bilgisi kitaplarını, konuşma kılavuzlarını ve sözlükleri içermektedir. Türkçenin yabancıikinci dil olarak öğretimi özellikle Tanzimat ve Meşrutiyet Dönemlerinde önemli ilerlemeler kaydetmiş ve Fransız Devriminin ardından gelen milliyetçi değişimlerden etkilenmiştir. Bu dönemlerde Türkçe öğretimi, İttihâd-ı Anâsırı sağlamak açısından kritik roller oynamıştır. Bu anlamda ilgili dönemlerde uygulanmış Türkçenin yabancıikinci dil olarak öğretimi politikalarını tarihî ve eğitsel yönden incelemek önemli görülmektedir. Bu araştırmada ele alınan konu çerçevesinde; arşiv belgeleri, akademik makaleler, kitaplar ve tezler incelenerek kapsamlı bir tarama yapılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler, doküman inceleme yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, Osmanlı Devrinde gayr-i Türk tebaaya Türkçe öğretimine 18. yüzyıldan itibaren yoğunlaşıldığını, Türkçe öğretiminin vatanı bir arada tutmak için kritik görüldüğünü ve bu alandaki materyallerin çoğunlukla gayrimüslim tebaa veya yabancı dilciler tarafından hazırlandığını göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak Tanzimattan itibaren Osmanlıcılık fikri çerçevesinde Türkçe öğretimiyle Osmanlı tebaasının entegrasyonu hedeflenmesine rağmen savaş koşulları da dâhil olmak üzere çeşitli faktörlerin bu hedefin gerçekleşmesini engellediği tespit edilmiştir.

Article Details

Language Policies and Nationalism in the Teaching of Turkish as a Foreign/Second Language During the Tanzimat and Constitutional Era

Authors:

Hasan Hüseyin Mutlu | Vehbi Akdi | Muhammed Eren Uygur

Publisher:

Gazi University

Main Topics:

Türkçe Eğitimi

Journal:

Gazi Üniversitesi Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.45 Issue 1, pp.383-419

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001347370

pISSN:

1301-9058

Ottoman Period

Teaching Turkish as a foreign/second language

Tanzimat Era

Constitutional Era

Language policies.Osmanlı Dönemi

Türkçenin yabancı/ikinci dil olarak öğretimi

Tanzimat Dönemi

Meşrutiyet Dönemi

Dil politikaları.

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Hasan Hüseyin Mutlu | Vehbi Akdi | Muhammed Eren Uygur

Publisher: Gazi University

Main Topics: Türkçe Eğitimi

Journal: Gazi Üniversitesi Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.45 Issue 1, pp.383-419

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 4/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001347370

pISSN: 1301-9058

Issues

Authors:

Hasan Hüseyin Mutlu | Vehbi Akdi | Muhammed Eren Uygur

Publisher:

Gazi University

Main Topics:

Türkçe Eğitimi

Journal:

Gazi Üniversitesi Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.45 Issue 1, pp.383-419

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001347370

pISSN:

1301-9058