Abstract:

Determining the perception of individuals related to the target language is important in terms of the quality of students’ attitudes and affective skills such as self-efficacy and of the learning process. The study analyzes the perceptions of the students who have studied at the University of Helsinki, Department of Languages related to Turkey and Turkish. It is conducted in accordance with the phenomenology design which is one of the methods of qualitative research. In order to collect data for the research the students were asked to complete the sentences such as “Turkish is like………, because……….”; “Turkey is like…….., because…………………”. The students have produced 21 metaphors related to Turkey and 6 metaphors to Turkish. It has been observed that two of the metaphors have negative connotations, whereas the rest of them were positive metaphors. It has been found out that that the metaphors related to Turkey are in the themes of food, multi-culturalism, the properties of the Turkish people, nature, unpredictability, cultural bridge, precious metal and negative perception. The perceptions as to Turkish are in the themes of the properties of the Turkish language and learning Turkish. While the perceptions of the participants are generally positive towards Turkey, there are some negative perceptions, as well. In order to remove these kinds of negative perceptions and to reinforce positive attitudes cultural diplomacy, emphasizing common values and some more activities introducing Turkey in a better way are required. Besides, by supporting the departments of Turkology, in the other universities of Finland, the department must be initiated.

Keywords: