{"id":4056,"date":"2012-07-11T21:45:56","date_gmt":"2012-07-12T02:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.studyabroad101.com\/?p=4056"},"modified":"2022-09-13T17:53:59","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T21:53:59","slug":"turkish-language-words-learned-turkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.studyabroad101.com\/blog\/2012\/07\/turkish-language-words-learned-turkey\/","title":{"rendered":"The Turkish Language: The First Words I Learned in Turkey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Submitted by Rachel Whitcomb, Global Ambassador in Instanbul, Turkey<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Istanbul,
Me and Christine bartering for lamps in the Grand Bazaar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n


\n<\/em><\/p>\n

merhaba<\/em>: hello<\/strong><\/p>\n

sherefe<\/em>: cheers!<\/strong><\/p>\n

te\u015fekk\u00fcrler<\/em>: thank you<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e7ay<\/em>: tea<\/strong><\/p>\n

su<\/em>: water<\/strong><\/p>\n

The language spoken in Turkey is, you guessed it, Turkish! Since it hovers right between Europe and Asia, many people in Istanbul know several languages. Anyone who is in sales knows at least 8 languages which is essential for them selling a product. In the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world (over 3,000 shops!), the salesmen (yes, they are all men) will look at you and begin speaking to you in whatever language they think you speak. In my experience, they usually go for Spanish, then Italian, then English. Fluency in many languages is essential for bartering.<\/p>\n

I did not know any Turkish before I came to this country, nor am I taking Turkish classes while I\u2019m here. Bo\u011fazi\u00e7i University was founded in 1863 as the American \u201cRobert College.\u201d Since then, it has left American hands and has become Turkish, but the university classes are entirely taught in English. Since it\u2019s not necessary for my studies, I\u2019m learning the language as I go. This is allowing me to reflect on what I see as important in my daily life. It\u2019s funny to see what catches on quickly in my head, like sherefe, and what is not on the \u201cfirst five\u201d list- like yes or no, or bathroom\/toilet.<\/p>\n

While we have struggled with the language barrier, I have found that the way Turks and Americans structure their lives is similar enough to be able to navigate through the foreign language. For example, menus are generally structured the same so I can just point and something good will come out. Also, there are some universal shapes and symbols I can rely on like bathroom pictures, exits, entrances, grocery store pictures, things in public transportation, and other signs.<\/p>\n

\"Istanbul,
The universal stop sign shape is one of the examples of how to overcome the language barrier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although I am making it by without knowing Turkish, I do wish I was able to take the class at the university to engage with the locals more. It\u2019s one thing to talk to them in English (which they do well) but I can speak English to someone at home too. I highly recommend anyone reading this going to a foreign country to take the language course (if you can) and use it, even though its nerve-racking. The only way to learn the language is by making a mistake or two! I certainly didn\u2019t get te\u015fekk\u00fcrler (thank you) right the first few times I tried to use it!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Want to read insider reviews from fellow study abroad students? Click\u00a0here to find your perfect study abroad program!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Submitted by Rachel Whitcomb, Global Ambassador in Instanbul, Turkey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[682],"class_list":["post-4056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","author-pwpadmin"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t