Study in Turkey: Language & Culture

The official language of Turkey is Turkish. The most-widely spoken Turkic language in the world, Turkish is a language with rich sounds and the unusual attribute of vowel harmony. Turkish is mutually intelligible with languages like Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz, meaning that it can serve as your linguistic gateway to Central Asia. 

But the Turkish language is but the surface of Turkey.

Turkey may have been the first Muslim country to embrace secularism, but Islamic traditions carried down the centuries are still present in everyday life. Stopping for coffee, shisha or a quick falafel are all normal in Turkey. Pausing for breath during the Islamic evening prayer is also the norm.

But what makes Turkey truly special are its architectural and natural wonders. From the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia to the cave houses of Cappadocia, Turkey is brimming with spectacular sights. 

As Turkey is a secular state at the constitutional level, it doesn’t have a state religion. That being said, about nine-in-ten Turks are Muslims. This ranges from those who are devout through to those who are culturally Muslim. Despite its strong secularism, Turkey can still be fairly socially-conservative. Do bear this in mind when planning your time there.

Crime levels in Turkey, even in Istanbul and Ankara, aren’t markedly higher than elsewhere in Europe. But, in recent years, the Turkish government has introduced a number of controversial laws. Among the most prominent of these is the law that criminalizes insulting the Turkish state. If convicted, you can face up to three years behind bars. Although not an offence, Cyprus and the conflict there is also often a sensitive topic of discussion. 

Due to the situations in both Iraq and Syria, there’s a heightened risk of terrorism across Turkey. The borders with Syria and Armenia can also be lively places. But Turkey is a large country, so don’t let this put you off going there.