Knowledge Base

What is Language Institution (History, Purpose)

The Turkish Language Institution, which strives for the development and preservation of the Turkish language, is a scientific organization that works between praise, criticism and controversy.

What is a Turkish Language Institution (TDK)?

Turkish Language Institution (TDK) is an organization affiliated to the Prime Minister Atatürk higher institution of Culture, Language and History. It is a public institution with a legal entity. It was established to reveal the richness of the Turkish language. It also aims to” raise Turkish among other languages in a manner worthy of its value". It is an organization that conducts studies related to the Turkish language and publishes the results of these studies. In addition to enriching the Turkish language, TDK, headquartered in Ankara, is making efforts to prevent language corruption by finding Turkish equivalents of foreign words. Amid signs full of foreign words, alienated language in the media, technological corruption, the TDK has been trying to carry out its mission since 1932, amid praise and criticism.

History of TDK is a language science institution established on July 12, 1932 by Order of Atatürk. When it was first established, it was called “Turkish Language Research Society”. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, from 1932 until his death, took part in the institution as “Founder and Protector General President”. The other founders were Samih Rifat Roozcu, Rushen Ashraf Ünaydın, Jalal Sahir Erozan and Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoğlu, all of whom were members of parliament. The first president of the institution is Samih Rifat Roozcu. Ismet Inönü also served as “protective president” until December 25, 1973, after Atatürk's death. Some important dates related to TDK can be listed as follows; Between September October 26 and October 5, 1932, the first Turkish language Kurultai was held in Dolmabahçe Palace. At the Congress, it was decided to study the branches of “dictionary, grammar-syntax, compilation, lenguistic-philology, etymology and publication”. In subsequent assemblies, some of these arms were separated, some were reunited; however, the main roof was not replaced. September 26, the opening day of the first language congress, is celebrated every year as “Language Day”. At the Congress held in 1934, the name of the society was changed to “Turkish Language Research Institution”. At the Congress in 1936, the name of the institution became “Turkish Language Institution”. In Atatürk's health, research began on the dictionary of screening and compilation. In the 1940s, Divanu Lügati't-Türk and Kutadgu Bilig were published. After Atatürk's death, the current of “Oz Turkish” was discussed among the Turkish intellectuals. TDK continued to lead this movement until 1983. The TDK was granted the status of “associations working in the public interest” in 1940. The institution's appropriation was cut by the Democratic Party government in 1951. After the 1982 constitution, in 1983, the TDK and the Turkish historical institution were nationalized under the roof of the Atatürk higher institution of Culture, Language and history, and the association's legal entities were terminated. Ataturk, November 1, 1936, The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) 5. period 2. in his opening speech of the legislative year, he said about the Turkish Language Institution and the Turkish Historical Institution; “I would like to praise the serious and unremitting work of the Turkish Historical Institution and the Turkish Language Institution, which opens new real horizons every day. I can safely say that these two national institutions, our history and language, represent the forgotten depths in darkness, the beginning of world culture, as they reveal with acceptable scientific documents, they perform a sacred task that allows the interest and awakening of not only the Turkish nation, but also the entire scientific world.
TDK gave awards in various branches between 1955 and 1983. The awards were abolished in 1983 after Atatürk's higher institution of Culture, Language and history was established. Some of the famous names who have received the TDK award include; Emre kongar (1977 science award), Behçet necatigil (1964 Art Award), Kemal Tahir (1968 novel award), Orhan Kemal (1969 short story award), Aziz Nesin (1970 Game Award), Çetin Altan (1978 trial-Award review). Its purpose and projects when the Turkish Language Research Society was first established, its purpose was determined as “to reveal the essence of the Turkish language and its existence, to bring it to a height worthy of its value among the languages of the Earth”. The aims of TDK for the present day can be listed as follows: to develop and disseminate Turkish as a language of science, culture, literature and teaching. Contribute to the correct, beautiful and effective use of Turkish in all areas. Ensuring that the riches of the Turkish language are preserved and processed and transferred to future generations. To demonstrate the scientific competence of the institution in the field of Turkish language by strengthening the academic infrastructure and institutional equipment. The TDK has branches that carry out scientific studies within the framework of these goals: the branch of Turkish writing languages and mouths, the branch of Education and teaching of the Turkish language, the branch of inscription Science, the branch of Dictionary, the branch of publication and Promotion, the branch of linguistics and grammar. TDK's ongoing projects include; The basic works of the Turkish language in foreign languages, translation of Turkish origin Information (Etymologies) the preparation of dictionaries, the creation of Turkish sign language, sign language dictionary the preparation of the distance learning method of teaching Turkish to foreigners with software, the basic idea of the works of different cultures and Turkish translation, Turkish language of foreign words and documentary film making... TSIS, suggested by TDK Provisions Turkish, Turkish language, Turkish foreign words in the language to prevent the degeneration of some of the provisions of the Turkish people finds. Some foreign words are translated into Turkish by the Working Group on provisions for foreign words within the TDK, taking into account suggestions from citizens. When determining Turkish mutual words, the shortenability of words, whether they are confused with the meaning of another word that they are shortened, their pronunciation and their reflection in society are taken into account. Apart from its own units, the TDK also receives suggestions for “Turkish equivalents” from citizens. Many of the Turkish equivalents determined by the TDC may not be preferred. In other words, foreign words that settle in the language are not easily given up. The reason for this is also linked to cultural corruption. In other words, as cultures become alienated, so does language. For this reason, the struggle of the TDC to enrich and protect the Turkish language is changing in direct proportion to the support of the public.  September 2017, TDK finally announced that it had determined Turkish equivalents to some foreign words with an information made in. These words and their Turkish equivalents are; oil (ground oil), natural gas (ground gas), SMS (short Information, short NEWS), hyperloop (speed hive), smoothie (karsanbach), julyen (ribbon chopping), store (winding curtain). TDK's definition for some foreign words; but hardly used Turkish equivalents can also be hidden as follows; emblem (chart indicator), extractor (greater), suburban (yorekent), bypass (bridging), billboard (duyurumluk) chip (chip), dart (Dart maybe later), doyen (Whitebeard), express (special delivery), the wingman (ahirdas), foodie (tatbilir), Happy Hour (Happy Hour), the down payment (guvenmelik), clip (gorumsetme), light (niece), lot (pinch), metrosexual (well-groomed male), migraine (headache half), navigation (yolbul)hors d'oeuvres (yemekalti), panic (urku), prime time (six hours), paddle (vurac), reincarnation (ensoulment), self-service (secal), surprise (sasirti), terror (yildir) corkscrew (Auger), Tribune (sekilik), turbulence (vortex), ultrasound (reflection), volleyball (flying ball), zapping (late). Periodicals TDK has some periodicals. The language and literature magazine “Turkish language”, the first issue of which was published in October 1951, is a monthly magazine. “Journal of Turkic World Language and literature”, published every six months, is an international peer-reviewed journal. It publishes research on language and literature of Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tatar and other Turkic communities. “Yearbook of Turkish Language Studies-Belleten " is also a yearbook published once a year and contains scientific research. TDK also publishes 30 to 40 scientific works per year. TDK dictionaries within dictionaries, there are 14 different at the internet site online that can be benefited: Current Turkish dictionary, Turkish dictionary with voice, great Turkish Dictionary Turkish dialects dictionary Dictionary of contact names, in English, a dictionary of words of Western origin, science, and a dictionary of Art terms, dictionary compilation (Turkey Turkish dialects Dictionary, A Dictionary of Proverbs and idioms, scanning dictionary Turkish Sign Language Dictionary, the international metrology Dictionary, A Dictionary of nursing Dictionary of pharmaceutical terms spelling, LexiQamus: Ottoman Turkish Word Solver. TDK-based discussions TDK has been the focus of various discussions on political and current issues. Some of the TDK's proposals have caused controversy, sometimes drawing criticism with unfounded claims. The name of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been used by some media outlets as “Bashar al-Assad” in reports about the civil war in Syria. The TDK proposed the name "Bashar al-Assad". Following the impeachment of President Mohamed Morsi following protests in Egypt in 2012-2013, the TDK was criticised for changing the definition of the word “coup.” TDK denied this claim by issuing a statement. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister at the time, criticized the events of the trip in 2013, calling the activists “marauders.” In addition, the TDK allegedly changed the meaning of the word” Marauder “as” someone who takes someone else's property, looting, looting, looting, plunder “to” someone who acts contrary to order, disrupts order, plachkacı". The TDK denied this claim and announced that no changes had been made. In March 2015, the provision of the meaning of the word “available” as “ready to flirt, easily flirted (woman) " sparked a long-running controversy. "The lexicographer's job is not to add a new meaning to a word on its own, at the desk, but to look at its use in writing and everyday language and identify what exists and reflect it into the dictionary."he made a statement.