Professor Emeritus Yahya Azeroğlu/Türkiye

TURKISH LITERATURE IN THE REPUBLICAN PERIOD

Literature forms the foundation of all sciences. A nation without literature cannot have science. Because science is defined and illustrated through literature. Therefore, it is literature that gives birth to and disseminates all sciences.

In this vein, Turkish literature, as it continued its course through history, carefully embracing the fundamental dynamics of science. As Turkish literature transitioned from empire to nationalism and the foundations of the republic were laid, a radical and fundamental approach to simplifying the language was pursued. During this period, the door to pure Turkish was opened. The main body of the language revolution was transformed. The layers upon which Turkish originated were sought. The sources of our literature’s origins were consulted.

This movement made significant strides with the establishment of the republic. Previously confined to the Palace and its circle, Turkish literature reached a broader audience with the republic. Public problems began to be addressed, conveyed, and informed through literature. The nation’s concerns, culture, economic situation, and social and political structure were transcended beyond the mere subject of Turkish. While all of this was being written and illustrated, the simplification, purification, and transformation of Turkish into pure Turkish were closely emphasized. The nation was addressed in its own language. A clear, understandable, and straightforward language was used, and a pure and articulate language was emphasized.

While pursuing this path, considerable attention was undoubtedly paid to the works of Ottoman-era writers who championed simplification and purification.

Authors advocating pure Turkish in the language presented themselves to the nation with successive works. The nation understood its author, and the author understood its nation. Meanwhile, relations with the West significantly influenced our writers and artists. With the alphabet reform, the fruits of these relations gradually matured and led to the production of new works. Western writers served as a source of inspiration and inspiration during this period, helping to guide us.

Our poets and writers were influenced by French, English, and German writers. Our intellectuals drew inspiration from Western sources and produced original and distinctive works.

Republican-era literature, from the 1920s onward, has maintained its influence until the present day. It continues to do so. Some of our writers and poets, who emerged in the early years of the Republic and were highly influential, left significant marks. Foremost among these writers and poets are Yakup Kadri, Halide Edip, and Sait Faik. Those who came later followed suit. For example, Yaşar Kemal, Orhan Kemal, and Reşat Nuri continued and contributed to this movement. We can also add renowned writers and poets such as Necip Fazıl, Nihat Sami, Arif Nihat, Peyami Sefa, Nihal Atsız, and Sebahattin Ali to this list.

Are they the only ones? Of course not. We should also include contemporary writers who have produced invaluable works in recent years. Our poets and writers are so numerous that which one should I mention? I could list among our poets Murat Çobanoğlu, Aşık Yaşar Reyhani, Şeref Taşlıova, Mahsuni Şerif, Abdurrahim Karakoç, and many more.

On the other hand, I must also mention here the writers who have contributed many distinguished works to our literature in recent times. For example, I cannot help but mention Fahrettin Masum Budak, İrfan Murat Yıldırım, Müslim Oğuz, and many other writers and artists who have created magnificent works in various fields and disciplines.

Once again, our literature had been opened to the public and the people. Writers and illustrators from the palace and its entourage were forgotten. Divan literature had become obsolete, and the demand for folk literature continued to grow. While previously our folk poets, writers, and poets were looked down upon and looked down upon, in this period they were respected and held in high esteem. For example, poets and bards such as Yunus Emre, Dadaloğlu, and Karacaoğlan rose to a position of being remembered and loved.

Artists of the Republican era, through their works, helped consolidate the era and establish a solid foundation.

They pioneered the emergence of new and distinctive movements in poetry and prose. For example, Orhan Veli and Nazım Hikmet pioneered the development of free verse and ensured its widespread adoption.

The original work of this period reached deep into the dusty layers of the past, capturing the depth and richness of our culture and conveying it to a broader audience. Folk culture was thoroughly cultivated through stories, novels, and poems, making it available for future use.

During this period, our language was enriched, and our Turkish language became functional. New words were coined, and regional words were appropriated for our literature, broadening the horizons of our Turkish language immensely.

 The literature of the Republican era was a period in which the Turkish language was embraced, enriched, expanded, and functionalized, and the national culture was remembered.

Professor Emeritus Yahya Azeroğlu/Türkiye

Professor Emeritus Yahya Azeroğlu/Turkeys.