The importance of local language in Turkey

We lived in Netherlands, UK, Luxembourg, Hungary and now Turkey.

To me local language is not too important, I speak only a few words of Hungarian or Turkish, Enlglish and German is sufficient in practice (Dutch is not so useful).

I am too old to learn.

Hello,

I am Turkish tutor and this is my podcast about learning Turkish. You can listen it. [link moderated]

The name of it is more than merhaba.

Secondly, if you have interest and skills about language, you can buy an İstanbul Türkçe book and learn by yourself with some YouTube videos.try to expose the language as much as you can. İn B1 level, you can get help from the courses. Turkish people like foreigners speak ing Turkish and cheat less

Hello Ciyul,

Welcome !

Should you want to advertise your classes, feel free to create an advert in the Language classes in Turkey section of the website.

Back to the topic now.

All the best

Bhavna

What is the local language spoken in Turkey?

Turkish

Did you learn and use it?

yes to some extent

How difficult was it to learn?

no easy for me and still learning

Are there any resources or services available to help expats learn the local language?

yes

What are your tips?

ISMEK institute provide free course to learn local language

What is the dominant language in the business environment?

Turkish

Have you had to conduct business meetings in the local language?

No

How does language proficiency contribute to understanding the local culture?

it would help you to talk with locals and ask questions to understand more

Are there any specific cultural nuances or expressions that expats should be aware of?

Don’t know

How important is the local language for daily tasks such as shopping, transport, health and other services in Turkey?

No need for all except health services

If you want to live in Türkiye you better learn Turkish, it just makes life easier.  Learning any language is always good, it is just a means of communication and learning the culture at the same time.  I am using Duolingo and I am enjoying it😊

Hi

In Turkey one should speak Turkish to have an easier life. Most of the locals dont speak any foreign language. However, if you have a job in a big company and live in an expensive neighborhood you may survive with english.

@alimevren We lived in many countries, Netherlands (we are Dutch), UK, Luxembourg, Hungary, and now Turkey. As I could say many things about the other countries, in Turkey (in the compex we live), Russian is important, my wife speaks and reads whcih is good so for the complex it is fine (I only speak Dutch, English and German). Still it is more then fine, even with my barber sign language is fine, for bureaucracy things we use out realtor, where we live other languagues are not needed (if even we looked upon as foreigners (my wife is more sophisticated and know quite some Turkish (still people recognize we are no locals, which is fine with me, and I understand))

We bring something, we are clients, we have people we know.

Not about Turkey, or other countries, bring you something, give you good tips, can you be a friendly person?

Turkey is good, language is useful (of course), but not possible for all.

Looking at business and we would ask for support for Ikamet, some restaurant owners, markets, barber (hairdresser for my wife), cigarette shop (smoking 3 packages per day), MMM (but they do no know me I think), .... Would support us to stay, others who have no direct advantage probably not.

Difficult for all, if we have to leave, we have to leave even if we loose (we enjoyed our time). Then again government is not stupid, keeping those who spend money; lets see.

German& Russian also spoken heavily depends on city.Arabic is also big now.

Most teenagers speak some English.

I met students speaking French&Italian

at High School in Istanbul.

Hi 👋

If you need conversational Turkish classes, you can contact me.

Have a wonderful day 🤩

Hello montazermariam,

You should post an advert in the appropriate section which is Turkey classifieds.

There is a dedicated category for language classes.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team