Reflections of the Language Revolution in the press (Resimli Uyanış journal review 1928-1935)

Language is a remarkably versatile tool, facilitating communication among individuals and serving as a vessel for conveying culture and knowledge from one generation to the next. Throughout the world, languages undergo a continuous process of development and change, and the Turkish language is no exception. Over the course of centuries, Turkish has undergone significant transformations. The evolution and transformation of the language were evident even during the final stages of the Ottoman Empire, characterized by notable disparities between written and spoken forms, the considerable influence of Arabic and Persian, and concerted efforts to simplify the language through the National Literature movement, aimed at preserving its structural integrity. However, it was with the advent of the Republic that this process gained substantial momentum. To ensure the widespread acceptance and effective implementation of language-related initiatives, active collaboration with the general public becomes indispensable. The Language Revolution emerges as a momentous and all-encompassing social transformation, representing one of the most profound changes that the Turkish language has ever undergone. The management, control, and monitoring of the language revolution were implemented as a state policy, with significant involvement from press organizations. Magazines and newspapers played a pivotal role in publicizing the language revolution and overseeing its progress. These press organs demonstrated innovation in both their linguistic choices and content. An illustrative example is the journal Servet-i Fünun, which existed prior to the Republic and underwent a name change to "Uyanış" in 1928. These publications not only contributed to the advancement of Turkish language and literature but also served as a reflection of the socio-cultural landscape of the time. As a result, journals wielded substantial influence in driving the language revolution forward. In a comprehensive analysis of 416 issues of the journal Servet-i Fünun (Resimli Uyanış) published from 1928 to 1935, the extent of the press's contribution to the language revolution is examined. The study reveals that the journal actively supported the language revolution both in terms of scientific and technical aspects. The analyzed publications were systematically included in the study, providing a chronological perspective. Notably, Turkish equivalents of words were commonly employed throughout the journal. Additionally, the study extensively incorporates the opinions and criticisms of intellectuals regarding the language revolution, shedding light on their perspectives. Key Words : Language Revolution, Press, Resimli Uyanış Journal