Need something to occupy you or your kids? Why not learn (or practice) the #Ottoman Turkish alphabet!
Over the next week I’ll be tweeting the letters of the alphabet from one of my Ottoman school books. If you want to play along, tweet me your writing or drawing masterpieces
Over the next week I’ll be tweeting the letters of the alphabet from one of my Ottoman school books. If you want to play along, tweet me your writing or drawing masterpieces
A little intro first in case you’re interested. The book is called ‘Renkli ve Resimli Elifba-yı Tefeyyüz’ / ‘’The Coloured and Illustrated Tefeyyüz Alphabet’ named for its Istanbul publisher, Tefeyyüz Kitabhanesi. It was written by Hüseyin Hüsnü in 1910
It was intended for use in Ottoman ibtidai (primary) schools, and, as you might guess from the cover image, was designed to teach both literacy and patriotism. That all said, let’s get on with today’s letters- ا، ب، پ، ت، ث
ا Elif is for elma, apple 🍎
In Ottoman political lore, the apple represented cities they wanted to conquer, with Constantinople, Rome, and Vienna all being identified as the desired ‘golden apple’. But here, it’s probably just ‘a is for apple’ 🤷♂️
In Ottoman political lore, the apple represented cities they wanted to conquer, with Constantinople, Rome, and Vienna all being identified as the desired ‘golden apple’. But here, it’s probably just ‘a is for apple’ 🤷♂️
ب Be is for bayrak, flag 🇹🇷
The Ottoman flag was formally adopted as the official flag in 1844 as part of the modernising Tanzimat reforms. The Ay-Yıldız (Crescent and Star) featured prominently in this and other school books to instil love of the fatherland
The Ottoman flag was formally adopted as the official flag in 1844 as part of the modernising Tanzimat reforms. The Ay-Yıldız (Crescent and Star) featured prominently in this and other school books to instil love of the fatherland
پ Pe is for para, a coin 💰
Ottoman currency was made of different units. One gold lira was made of 100 kuruş. One kuruş in turn was made of 40 para. Here’s a 5 para coin from my little collection, minted about the same time the book was published
Ottoman currency was made of different units. One gold lira was made of 100 kuruş. One kuruş in turn was made of 40 para. Here’s a 5 para coin from my little collection, minted about the same time the book was published
ت Te is for tüfek, rifle 🔫
Military service is a key theme in this alphabet book, encouraging boys to desire to serve and protect their country. As was common in many countries a that time, boys often had military drill lessons as part of their school curriculum
Military service is a key theme in this alphabet book, encouraging boys to desire to serve and protect their country. As was common in many countries a that time, boys often had military drill lessons as part of their school curriculum
ث Se is for saniye, a second 🕐
The Ottomans had different forms of time, the ‘alaturka’ method based on the time of sunset, and the new ‘alafranga’ system imported from the West.
Why not take a second to try out your #Ottoman skills and tweet me the results! More tomorrow 🤓
The Ottomans had different forms of time, the ‘alaturka’ method based on the time of sunset, and the new ‘alafranga’ system imported from the West.
Why not take a second to try out your #Ottoman skills and tweet me the results! More tomorrow 🤓
ج Cim is for cami, a mosque 🕌
As well as having a nationalist agenda, many Ottoman school books emphasised the importance of Islam. Primary school students had classes on the Qur’an and Islamic history alongside their other subjects
ℹ️ ‘C’ in Turkish is like the ‘j’ in jam
As well as having a nationalist agenda, many Ottoman school books emphasised the importance of Islam. Primary school students had classes on the Qur’an and Islamic history alongside their other subjects
ℹ️ ‘C’ in Turkish is like the ‘j’ in jam
چ Çim is for çanta, a bag or purse 👜
The humble çanta had been associated with money bags in the early modern period, but by the early 20th century could refer to document bags, post bags, or, of course, fashion accessories
ℹ️ ‘Ç’ in Turkish is like the ‘ch’ in cheese
The humble çanta had been associated with money bags in the early modern period, but by the early 20th century could refer to document bags, post bags, or, of course, fashion accessories
ℹ️ ‘Ç’ in Turkish is like the ‘ch’ in cheese
ح Ha is for hokka, an inkstand 🖊
The inkstand represents literacy and skill in writing. Although there were Ottoman typewriters in the early C20th, most Ottoman state and official documents remained handwritten- much to the entertainment/frustration of future historians
The inkstand represents literacy and skill in writing. Although there were Ottoman typewriters in the early C20th, most Ottoman state and official documents remained handwritten- much to the entertainment/frustration of future historians
خ Hı is for hurus, a rooster 🐓
Roosters are great at announcing the dawning of a new day, real and metaphorical. Turkey is home to the Denizli horusu, famed for its impressive crow. In English, roosters go ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’- what noise do roosters make in your languages?
Roosters are great at announcing the dawning of a new day, real and metaphorical. Turkey is home to the Denizli horusu, famed for its impressive crow. In English, roosters go ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’- what noise do roosters make in your languages?
د Dal is for deve, camel 🐪
Camels were employed in the Ottoman army as pack animals or cavalry right up to WW1. In 2015, an archaeologists in Austria uncovered an Ottoman camel who took part in the 1683 siege of Vienna:
🇬🇧 bbc.in/39fZ8yN
🇹🇷 bbc.in/3dysr2S
Camels were employed in the Ottoman army as pack animals or cavalry right up to WW1. In 2015, an archaeologists in Austria uncovered an Ottoman camel who took part in the 1683 siege of Vienna:
🇬🇧 bbc.in/39fZ8yN
🇹🇷 bbc.in/3dysr2S
ذ Zel is for zahire anbarı, a grain store 🌾
Bread in various forms was a major Ottoman staple, so keeping a eye on grain storage was important to the Ottoman state. Gaining control of grain stores in the early modern period was a route to power and wealth for many individuals
Bread in various forms was a major Ottoman staple, so keeping a eye on grain storage was important to the Ottoman state. Gaining control of grain stores in the early modern period was a route to power and wealth for many individuals
ر Re is for raf, a shelf 🗄
I can’t really think of anything interesting and/or Ottoman to say about shelves 🤷♂️ Maybe one of you can?
Anyway, here’s something nice from one of our shelves at home, a napping ceramic kitty from Palestine
I can’t really think of anything interesting and/or Ottoman to say about shelves 🤷♂️ Maybe one of you can?
Anyway, here’s something nice from one of our shelves at home, a napping ceramic kitty from Palestine
ز Ze is for zenbil, basket 🧺
Try out this alliterative text from Evliya Çelebi’s C17th travel book:
Zebballar zibilleri zenbillere doldurub zenbil-zenbil zibilleri hamamlara yakub
The rubbish men fill their baskets with rubbish and burn it basket by basket in the bathhouses
Try out this alliterative text from Evliya Çelebi’s C17th travel book:
Zebballar zibilleri zenbillere doldurub zenbil-zenbil zibilleri hamamlara yakub
The rubbish men fill their baskets with rubbish and burn it basket by basket in the bathhouses
Je is for jandarma, a gendarme 👨🏻✈️
The Ottoman gendarmerie were a paramilitary force responsible for internal order. They guarded public buildings and hunted criminals and bandits, but sometimes gained a reputation for brutality
ℹ️ ‘J’ in Turkish is like the ‘s’ in pleasure
The Ottoman gendarmerie were a paramilitary force responsible for internal order. They guarded public buildings and hunted criminals and bandits, but sometimes gained a reputation for brutality
ℹ️ ‘J’ in Turkish is like the ‘s’ in pleasure
س Sin is for saat, an hour or a clock 🕰
The clock in this picture has Roman numerals, but in the 17th and 18th centuries, British and French clock and watchmakers tried to appeal to the Ottoman market by using Arabic numerals, like this watch in the Victoria and Albert Museum
The clock in this picture has Roman numerals, but in the 17th and 18th centuries, British and French clock and watchmakers tried to appeal to the Ottoman market by using Arabic numerals, like this watch in the Victoria and Albert Museum
ش Şın is for şimendöfer, a railway 🚂
The Ottomans borrowed lots of words from French in the 19th century. The French term for railways, ‘chemin de fer’, was used alongside the Turkish ‘demiryolu’. As with words for ‘railway’ in many languages, both literally mean ‘iron road’
The Ottomans borrowed lots of words from French in the 19th century. The French term for railways, ‘chemin de fer’, was used alongside the Turkish ‘demiryolu’. As with words for ‘railway’ in many languages, both literally mean ‘iron road’
ص Sad is for sandalye, a chair 🪑
Chairs were not part of ordinary furniture for most of Ottoman history, with people sitting on divans, cushions, or rugs. In the 19th century however, chairs became part of the trappings of a new, modern, Western culture among elites
Chairs were not part of ordinary furniture for most of Ottoman history, with people sitting on divans, cushions, or rugs. In the 19th century however, chairs became part of the trappings of a new, modern, Western culture among elites
ض Dad is for zabıt, a military officer
In 1908, army officers were at the heart of the ‘Young Turk’ Revolution to restore the constitution. But some officers staged a coup in 1912 after an unfair election, followed by a counter-coup in 1913, leading to a military dictatorship
In 1908, army officers were at the heart of the ‘Young Turk’ Revolution to restore the constitution. But some officers staged a coup in 1912 after an unfair election, followed by a counter-coup in 1913, leading to a military dictatorship
ط Tı is for top, cannon 💣
If you ever visit Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, you will in fact be visiting the ‘Cannon Gate’ Palace. It was originally called Saray-ı Cedid, the New Palace, and got its current title in the C18th, being given the name of a villa on the sea walls below
If you ever visit Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, you will in fact be visiting the ‘Cannon Gate’ Palace. It was originally called Saray-ı Cedid, the New Palace, and got its current title in the C18th, being given the name of a villa on the sea walls below
ظ Zı is for zarf, a coffee cup holder ☕️
Ottoman coffee cups didn’t have handles, they’re like little bowls. So people used a zarf to place their cups in when they weren’t drinking. They were often beautifully made, like this 19th century Syrian zarf in the British Museum
Ottoman coffee cups didn’t have handles, they’re like little bowls. So people used a zarf to place their cups in when they weren’t drinking. They were often beautifully made, like this 19th century Syrian zarf in the British Museum
ع Ayın is for asker, soldier 💂♀️
Reforming and modernising the army was one of the primary aims of the late Ottoman state. You can see 100s of photos of 19th century Ottoman soldiers in the Sultan Abdülhamid II albums at the Library of Congress: bit.ly/2QSv6uE
Reforming and modernising the army was one of the primary aims of the late Ottoman state. You can see 100s of photos of 19th century Ottoman soldiers in the Sultan Abdülhamid II albums at the Library of Congress: bit.ly/2QSv6uE
غ Gayın is for gaz lambası, a gas lamp 💡
Gas lamps as street lights were first installed at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace, and then in Beyoğlu and Galata in the 1850s. From the 1860s, gas lamps spread through the streets of certain neighbourhoods in many Ottoman cities
Gas lamps as street lights were first installed at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace, and then in Beyoğlu and Galata in the 1850s. From the 1860s, gas lamps spread through the streets of certain neighbourhoods in many Ottoman cities
ف Fe is for fes, a fez 🧢
This iconic Ottoman headgear was introduced as a symbol of modernity and unity in 1826. It went through different styles over the decades- the Mahmudiye, the Aziziye, and the Hamidiye, named after the sultans who wore them
This iconic Ottoman headgear was introduced as a symbol of modernity and unity in 1826. It went through different styles over the decades- the Mahmudiye, the Aziziye, and the Hamidiye, named after the sultans who wore them
ق Kaf is for kayık, a boat 🚣🏻♀️
Kayıks were important forms of water transport, especially in Istanbul where they ferried passengers and goods across and along the Bosphorus and Golden Horn. By the early C20th, kayıks had to compete with new steam ferries and the Galata bridge
Kayıks were important forms of water transport, especially in Istanbul where they ferried passengers and goods across and along the Bosphorus and Golden Horn. By the early C20th, kayıks had to compete with new steam ferries and the Galata bridge
ك Kef is for kedi, a cat 🐈
After the last Ottoman sultan, Mehmed VI, left Istanbul for exile in 1922, one of his palace cats was taken by an American naval commander back to Washington DC. Renamed Pansy, you can see her in these photos from the Library of Congress #Caturday
After the last Ottoman sultan, Mehmed VI, left Istanbul for exile in 1922, one of his palace cats was taken by an American naval commander back to Washington DC. Renamed Pansy, you can see her in these photos from the Library of Congress #Caturday
ك / گ Gef is for gemi, a ship ⛵️
Take a look at this stunning C18th calligraphic Ottoman ship in the Met Museum. Its hull is made from the names of the Seven Sleepers. I love that the name of their faithful dog, Kıtmir, is on the prow, guarding the ship as he guarded their cave
Take a look at this stunning C18th calligraphic Ottoman ship in the Met Museum. Its hull is made from the names of the Seven Sleepers. I love that the name of their faithful dog, Kıtmir, is on the prow, guarding the ship as he guarded their cave
ل Lam is for limon, a lemon 🍋
Lemons were used in many different ways in Ottoman cuisine, as a preservative and an ingredient. Lemon juice, ab-ı limon, was used in drinks but also in medicines. One cure for fever from Morea involved mixing hot water, coffee, and lemon juice
Lemons were used in many different ways in Ottoman cuisine, as a preservative and an ingredient. Lemon juice, ab-ı limon, was used in drinks but also in medicines. One cure for fever from Morea involved mixing hot water, coffee, and lemon juice
م Mim is for masa, a table 🪑
Ottoman tables tended to be low, as people mostly sat on the floor on cushions- this changed as chairs became more widely used. The name ‘masa’ has an Italian origin and often meant more decorative tables. Dining tables were usually called ‘sofra’
Ottoman tables tended to be low, as people mostly sat on the floor on cushions- this changed as chairs became more widely used. The name ‘masa’ has an Italian origin and often meant more decorative tables. Dining tables were usually called ‘sofra’
ن Nun is for nar, a pomegranate 🍎
Pomegranates were important symbols in many of the Ottoman Empire’s religions and cultures. They were often used as a decorative motif, like on this C17th silk hanging in the V&A and this C19th Kütahya dish in the Portland Art Museum
Pomegranates were important symbols in many of the Ottoman Empire’s religions and cultures. They were often used as a decorative motif, like on this C17th silk hanging in the V&A and this C19th Kütahya dish in the Portland Art Museum
و Vav is for vapur, a steamship 🚢
Steamships revolutionised travel to, from, and in the Ottoman Empire. As well as being internal ferries and freighters, steamships brought tourists from Europe to Syria and Palestine, and pilgrims from all over the world to Mecca and Medina
Steamships revolutionised travel to, from, and in the Ottoman Empire. As well as being internal ferries and freighters, steamships brought tourists from Europe to Syria and Palestine, and pilgrims from all over the world to Mecca and Medina
He is for hindi, a turkey 🦃
Turkeys in Turkey aren’t turkeys- they’re indians. This North American bird’s name in the languages of Europe and the Middle East reveals a lot about its journeys across the Atlantic and beyond, as this brilliant educational map shows
Turkeys in Turkey aren’t turkeys- they’re indians. This North American bird’s name in the languages of Europe and the Middle East reveals a lot about its journeys across the Atlantic and beyond, as this brilliant educational map shows
ى Ye is for yelpaze, a fan 🦚
Fans made from peacock or swan feathers were a mark of elites in the early modern period. In the 19th century, other styles of fan were imported and adopted, and fans became important fashion accessories, like the one held by this well-to-do woman
Fans made from peacock or swan feathers were a mark of elites in the early modern period. In the 19th century, other styles of fan were imported and adopted, and fans became important fashion accessories, like the one held by this well-to-do woman
