Turkey: The… practical difficulty with changing the name to Türkiye

Turkey ξε changed its name and is now officially called Türkiye. “Turkey” in English, but also in international diplomatic practice, is the international name of Turkey. “Turkey”, however, is also called in English the turkey, the likeable bird of the pheasant family, which is an exquisite delicacy. “Who knows what puns are being made and what misunderstandings may arise, especially as Christmas approaches.” Deutsche Welle.

According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, the Turkish government has sent an official letter to the United Nations and other international organizations calling for a change in the English language. designation of the country, used in diplomatic contacts. In a televised message, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu expressed the expectation that the necessary changes would be completed within the week. However, the UN is responding to Ankara’s request, the Turkish Foreign Minister said.

“Made in Türkiye”, the new branding

Already from the end of 2021 Turkey began to use the name “Made in Türkiye” in its exported products. It was preceded by a relevant decree of President Tayyip Erdogan, which left no room for controversy. This will be the new branding of the neighboring country. Turkish Airlines has already launched an advertising campaign with the central slogan “Hello Türkiye”. The Turkish government will soon launch a broader online campaign to establish the country’s new international name.

In his decree, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan clarifies that the name “Türkiye” is the most appropriate “to express the culture and values ​​of the Turkish nation”. The German newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung notes that in English the word “turkey” does not only mean turkey, but is also an idiom that implies “nonsense” or “failure”. Obviously no one wants such an identification.

Practical difficulties in establishing the name

The truth is that Turkey is not the first, nor the only country that changes its official name on its own initiative. Years ago, the Netherlands officially announced that it was no longer called “Netherlands”, but “Netherlands”, as its official name in Dutch (“Niederlande”) suggests. Since then, in official international contacts, the British call it “The Netherlands” and the Germans “Die Niederlande”, but in the vernacular the old name is retained. No one will suggest to his company “to go to the Netherlands for any beer”.

In the case of Turkey, however, there is another practical difficulty, as the Stuttgarter Zeitung columnist points out: How can the international community accept the name “Türkiye”, since in most countries, and therefore in most keyboards, there is not even the character “ü”? Not to mention that Turkey’s insistence on changing its name may arouse similar desires in other countries. Take for example India, which in Turkish is called “India”. Which means “The land of the turkey”!

Source: News Beast

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