The International Symposium on Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk and the Turkic World Begins at PAU on Its 950th Anniversary

The opening program of the symposium was attended by Denizli Governor Ömer Faruk Coşkun, PAU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kutluhan, UNESCO National Commission of Türkiye President Prof. Dr. M. Öcal Oğuz, Turkish Language Institution President Prof. Dr. Osman Mert, Director of PAU’s Altai Communities Language and Cultures Research and Application Center Prof. Dr. Nergis Biray, Director of PAU’s Language Teaching Research and Application Center Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyza Tokat, along with academics and students.

The opening program commenced with a moment of silence and the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem. The event continued with a musical performance, followed by keynote speeches.

Speaking at the event, Director of PAU’s Language Teaching Research and Application Center (PADAM), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyza Tokat, stated: “Today, as the Turkish Language Teaching Center of our university, we proudly continue to follow in the footsteps of Kaşgarlı Mahmud. We emphasize the use of cultural elements in teaching Turkish as a foreign language and uphold our mission to promote and teach Turkish with dedication.”

The first keynote speech was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyza Tokat, Director of the Language Teaching Research and Application Center (PADAM) at Pamukkale University. In her speech, she stated:

“Written in the 11th century by Kaşgarlı Mahmud, Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk is not only a lexicon shedding light on Turkish language and culture but also the first work written with the purpose of teaching Turkish to non-native speakers. Kaşgarlı Mahmud, understanding the importance of cultural transmission in foreign language teaching, embedded a Turkish cultural motif into almost every word he defined and maintained a strong connection between the word, culture, and the target audience. This approach bears similarities to the fundamental principles of contemporary foreign language teaching.

Today, as PADAM, the Turkish Language Teaching Center of our university, we proudly follow in the footsteps of Kaşgarlı Mahmud. We continue our mission to promote and teach Turkish by paying special attention to the use of cultural elements in teaching Turkish as a foreign language. It is both an honor and a responsibility for us to preserve the beauty of Turkish in spoken and written forms and to connect our students with our rich culture.

On the occasion of the 950th anniversary of Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, I would like to respectfully commemorate all those who have contributed to this work and to the Turkish language, including Besim Atalay and my esteemed professor, the late Prof. Dr. Ziyad Akkoyunlu, from whom I had the privilege of learning as a student. I also wish good health and a long life to my dear professor, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bican Ercilasun, who will deliver an online lecture at this symposium.

With the promise and conviction that we will continue to contribute to Turkish language and culture by following in the footsteps of Kaşgarlı Mahmud, I hope this symposium will be beneficial for all participants. I extend my regards to all of you.”

Director of PAU Altai Communities Language and Cultures Research and Application Center, Prof. Dr. Nergis Biray, stated: “Today, under the guidance of Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, a work that discusses every aspect of being Turkish, we gather to shed light on the profound cultural heritage of the Turkic world, to develop new ideas for the future, and to exchange knowledge.”

Prof. Dr. Nergis Biray, Director of the Pamukkale University Altai Communities Language and Cultures Research and Application Center, expressed the following in her speech:

“Today, we gather here to celebrate the 950th anniversary of Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, one of the most significant works of Turkish language and culture, and to contribute new studies to the ongoing research on this masterpiece. I warmly welcome you all to our symposium, which has brought together participants from all corners of the Turkic world.

Kaşgarlı Mahmud described his work as follows: ‘I wrote this book, titled Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk or The Lexicon of Turkic Languages, as an endless source of knowledge and fame, with the hope that it would serve as an everlasting provision for humanity.’ This magnificent encyclopedia, rich with insights into Turkish national culture, is a treasure trove of knowledge. Kaşgarlı Mahmud’s works illuminate all aspects of 11th-century Turkish cultural history. Recognizing the necessity of learning the Turkish language in the historical and geographical conditions of his time, Kaşgarlı emerges as a pioneer of Turkish linguistic nationalism.

His documentation of the dialects, accents, and variations of Turkish used in Turkistan during the 10th and 11th centuries makes his work invaluable to the scientific community and the history of Turkish culture. By including a map at the end of his work, he introduced the geographical scope of his research and the regions inhabited by Turkic tribes. In this sense, it would not be an exaggeration to state that Kaşgarlı conducted the first studies on the 900-year-old geography and place names of the Turks.

Today, under the guidance of this extraordinary work, which touches on every aspect of Turkish identity, we come together to shed light on the profound cultural heritage of the Turkic world, to develop new ideas for the future, and to exchange knowledge. Re-discovering the Turkish language and culture through the lens of Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk after 950 years, and carrying this heritage forward, is a great responsibility.

We gather here to better understand the cultural legacy of Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, to study the development of the Turkish language, to gain a closer understanding of the current state of the Turkic world, to discuss the history, culture, and identity of our nation, to strengthen our ties with the Turkic world, to promote cultural and scientific collaboration, and to deeply examine the global influence of Turkish language and culture, as well as the shared values originating from this region.

I wish for this symposium to be productive and successful and hope it contributes to passing on the culture and identity of the Turks to future generations. My best regards to you all.”

Turkologist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bican Ercilasun stated: “Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, or the Divan of Turkic Dialects, was written in the 11th century, adhering almost to the principles of modern lexicography. It is a kind of encyclopedia of the Turks, containing around 9,000 words, numerous examples, poems, and proverbs.”

In his online speech, Turkish linguist and Turkologist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bican Ercilasun shared the following:

“Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, written in the 11th century, is the first known dictionary of the Turkish language. However, calling it merely a dictionary would be an understatement. It is an encyclopedic dictionary. In addition to providing basic translations from Turkish to Arabic, it includes extensive explanations for many entries. Thus, it is encyclopedic in nature.

The work was written by Kaşgarlı Mahmud in Baghdad, beginning in 1072 and completed in 1077, although he had previously collected its materials. Likely during a period of exile, he traveled among Turkic tribes, recording not only words but also traditions, poems, quatrains, couplets, and proverbs. These notes were later compiled in Baghdad following the tradition of Arabic lexicography, targeting an Arabic-speaking audience.

Kaşgarlı Mahmud recorded each Turkish word in Turkish, followed by its Arabic equivalent, and then provided examples, as seen in modern lexicography. After each example, he also added an Arabic explanation. To distinguish Turkish words and examples, he marked them in red ink—a necessity at a time when dictionaries did not arrange words vertically for easy reading. Many examples were simple sentences, but often they were poems or quatrains, leading us to consider Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk as the first anthology of Turkish folk literature. Similarly, its inclusion of nearly 300 proverbs makes it the first collection of Turkish proverbs, a remarkable achievement for the 1070s.

Kaşgarlı Mahmud often took inspiration from other works but adapted them to suit the characteristics of Turkish. For instance, while borrowing from a book divided into six parts, he expanded it to eight or ten sections. Even his word explanations offer valuable insights into the Turkic world of his time, containing unique information not found elsewhere.

On a broader level, when studying Turkish history, we often see the migration of Turks from east to west. However, there was likely a prehistoric west-to-east migration as well. For example, in the Legend of Shu, Kaşgarlı Mahmud refers to Turks retreating from Alexander the Great's forces, moving from the regions of Seyhun and Ceyhun toward the Altai Mountains.

Kaşgarlı also distinguished between the narrow and broad meanings of ‘Turk.’ In the narrower sense, he used it to refer to specific Turkic tribes, such as the Oghuz and Kipchaks, implying distinctions within Turkic groups. In the broader sense, he referred to all Turkic peoples collectively, listing them geographically from west to east. This distinction is significant, as it reflects historical perceptions that still affect modern interpretations of Turkic identity.

In conclusion, Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk is a monumental encyclopedia of the Turks, containing around 9,000 words, numerous examples, poems, and proverbs. Written in the 11th century, it incorporates the principles of modern lexicography while also drawing on the traditions of Arabic lexicography.”

Additionally, during the opening speeches, a message from Okan Oğuz, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Denizli, was read, conveying his best wishes for the success of the symposium.

President of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, Prof. Dr. M. Öcal Oğuz, stated: “We have reached a consensus, supported by our Heads of State, on the declaration of December 15 as International Turkish Language Day by UNESCO.”

President of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, Prof. Dr. M. Öcal Oğuz, delivered a presentation titled The Journey of the Turkish Language in UNESCO, addressing topics such as the involvement of UNESCO in studies related to Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, the foundation and activities of UNESCO.

Prof. Dr. Oğuz began by highlighting that UNESCO was established in 1945 as an intergovernmental organization under the United Nations, with Türkiye being one of its founding members and the tenth country to ratify its constitution. He stated, "The Turkish National Commission for UNESCO was established in 1949, and this year, we are celebrating its 75th anniversary. UNESCO operates in five sectors: communication, education, natural sciences, culture, and social and human sciences. Through these programs, we bring topics specific to our country to UNESCO's center, turning them into shared matters of concern for humanity."

Prof. Dr. Oğuz emphasized the importance of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 2003, which allows nations to present intangible heritage elements such as epics, folktales, and oral traditions for recognition. He added, "In 2017, Türkiye successfully submitted Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk to UNESCO, meeting the criterion that the heritage element must be preserved in the submitting country. The valuable manuscript is safeguarded at the Millet Library in Istanbul."

Addressing language representation, he noted, "UNESCO recognizes six official languages, none of which include Turkish. Even languages with significant speakers or economic influence, such as Hindi, Japanese, or Portuguese, are not considered international languages. This limitation is rooted in the post-World War II dominance of the victors in determining global linguistic priorities. However, as global challenges necessitate reform within the United Nations, including the expansion of official languages, Turkish should be considered among them. For this to happen, we need a unified communication strategy within the Turkish-speaking world."

Prof. Dr. Oğuz explained efforts to promote December 15 as International Turkish Language Day, coinciding with the date when Vilhelm Thomsen deciphered the Göktürk inscriptions, the oldest known written records of the Turkish language. He concluded, "This date symbolizes a bridge between East and West, science and culture, uniting our shared heritage. We have reached a consensus among the heads of state in the Turkish-speaking world to propose this date to UNESCO."

Prof. Dr. Oğuz also thanked Pamukkale University and its Altai Communities Research Center for their contributions, especially during the pandemic, to raising awareness about the Turkish language and cultural heritage within UNESCO programs.

 

"TDK President Mert: 'The Turkish World Term Bank Will Be Established'"

President of the Turkish Language Association (TDK), Prof. Dr. Osman Mert, emphasized the importance of language as a unifying bridge for the Turkish-speaking world during his speech. Referring to Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, he stated:

“This year marks my participation in the fourth program dedicated to Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, and I had the privilege of attending all of them alongside Mr. Oğuz. I thank everyone involved for their support. The first program was held in Bishkek, as Mahmud al-Kashgari was born in Barsgan. Since it was not possible to organize such an event in Kashgar, we chose Bishkek as the location. I proposed that instead of holding these activities solely in Türkiye, we should collaborate with the Turkic Republics, aiming to unite the descendants of Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk’s legacy. And we succeeded."

Prof. Dr. Mert highlighted the significance of Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk as a testament to the rich lexicon of its time:
“Even though the vocabulary compiled by Mahmud al-Kashgari in his era is limited to around 8,000-9,000 words due to constraints, it remains invaluable. Each word forms a bridge connecting the past to the present and linking all Turkic-speaking nations and regions. These words are not merely linguistic; they are cultural and historical ties binding us together.”

He elaborated on the ongoing projects related to Turkic languages, emphasizing comparative lexicography:
“While creating a comparative dictionary of Turkic dialects is challenging today, efforts are underway. A previous dictionary containing approximately 7,000 entries was compiled under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bican Ercilasun. Building on that, we have now initiated a project involving 21 Turkic dialects, utilizing advanced software. This will allow us to determine the degree of lexical commonality and divergence among these dialects.”

Prof. Dr. Mert also introduced an ambitious terminology initiative:
“We are working on the most advanced terminology database globally, encompassing terms from various scientific fields. The first column includes English for consistency, followed by Turkish and other Turkic dialects. This project will culminate in two major outcomes: the Türkiye Terminology Bank and the Turkic World Terminology Bank. These initiatives will reveal the extent of shared terminology and differences. Despite the variations, approximately 80% of our core vocabulary is common. This shared foundation provides an excellent opportunity to establish unity in creating new terms moving forward.”

Prof. Dr. Mert concluded by emphasizing the cultural and scientific significance of such efforts in fostering greater collaboration and solidarity among Turkic-speaking communities.

Pamukkale University Rector Kutluhan: “Our University Maintains Its Belief in the Importance of Turkish Unity and Considers Supporting These Activities a Duty”

Rector of Pamukkale University, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kutluhan, expressed his pride in the university's dedication to the Turkic world during his speech:

“I am deeply proud of Pamukkale University’s significant interest in the Turkic World. When Prof. Dr. Nergis Biray proposed organizing the Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk Symposium, it coincided with discussions about the Turkic alphabet. Just as we supported the International Bilge Tonyukuk Symposium, we eagerly supported this symposium as well. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Nergis Hocam and all the faculty members who contributed to organizing this event. As a university, we are proud to have established strong collaborations and protocols with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and hopefully, other Turkic Republics in the near future. Pamukkale University remains committed to its belief in the importance of Turkish unity and considers supporting all such activities as its duty. I wish the symposium to be a source of positive outcomes and contribute to fostering Turkish unity.”

Following the opening speeches, the program continued with the presentation of gifts. Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kutluhan presented a gift to Prof. Dr. M. Öcal Oğuz, President of UNESCO’s National Commission for Türkiye, while Denizli Governor Ömer Faruk Coşkun presented a gift to Prof. Dr. Osman Mert, President of the Turkish Language Association.

On the first day of the symposium, 10 in-person and simultaneous sessions will be held. On the second day, six online sessions will take place simultaneously. Detailed information about the symposium program can be accessed via the link: https://d.pau.edu.tr/282a846c.