Abstract:

The introduction of Latin alphabet to replace the already existing Arabic alphabets by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is considered as an alphabet revolution since its declaration in November1, 1928. The move was necessitated by the belief that the Latin, compared to the Arabic alphabet would facilitate the simplicity of teaching and understanding of the Turkish Language. Though, arguably, Mustafa Kemal, could have been moved by his ambition shaped by his secular and Western orientation to scrap the remains of the Ottoman empire in order to pave way for the reconstruction of the new Turkey to suit the Western states of civilization of Europe, the idea conceived by the Turkish leader was primarily to ensure as a matter of reformation necessity that the remnants of the old Ottoman Empire, did not mix with the New Turkey. This included the disregard for the usage of Arabic on religious occasions. 90 years now since the alphabet revolution, the influx of religiosity (Islam) amongst the Turkish citizens and the dynamics of engagements in the Middle Eastern politics have awakened the need for Modern Turkey to incorporate the teaching of Arabic language. This article raises the question that does Modern Turkey need to take Arabic language more seriously. The aim of the paper is to reveal the essence of Arabic language in Turkish economic and political dispensation. It seeks to reemphasize the need for the incorporation of Arabic language and the awarding of equal or more importance given to the learning of English to teaching it in Turkish schools.

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