A theoretical review of the subalternity research in Turkey

The term subaltern was coined by Antonio Gramsci in the 1920s to describe social groups that do not have a voice in a society and cannot express themselves within the functioning mechanisms of the society. Unlike the proletariat in the classical Marxist sense, these groups are unorganized and have no class consciousness. The extent of the term Gramsci initially referred to began to shift in 1980s. Due to the processes such as debates on multiculturalism, studies on the history of minority groups, emphasis on difference and particular; the concept has expanded to include ethnic groups, natives, LGBT+ groups, women, children and all identities considered as the "other" in society. Consequently, subaltern has become an umbrella term to identify all the groups who are subject to social hierarchy. Eventually, its meaning has become ambiguous as it expands and turn into 'a way of feeling' as it becomes ambiguous. The concept was introduced to the literature in Turkey at the beginning of the 2000s and initially used sociologically in studies on the "urban poor". Hence, women, LGBT+ groups, Syrians, Gypsies/Romany, Kurds, Alevis, Islamists were considered as subaltern groups and the wide usage of the concept was perpetuated. These groups tried to overcome their marginalized positions against the dominant group with various tactics and strategies and some of them merged into the hegemonic sphere. In sum, this study aims to analyze through discourse analysis how the concept of subaltern is approached in Turkey, which groups are included and which perspectives are present.