The alphabet reform in Turkish humor press (1928-1938)

The Turkish Alphabet Reform, when compared to the other reforms by Ataturk, is considered one of the most radical changes of modern Turkey. This change was made possible only through a literacy campaign in Turkish society, which had been using the Arab alphabet for centuries. Naturally, this radical change was followed by Turkish press and world press. A significant majority of the Turkish press supported the revolution and made special publications to help people to learn the new alphabet. The Turkish Alphabet Reform; Its effect on media life, the increase in the rate of literacy and its role in the modernization of the society are examined. Under the title of "Sources of Humor" in the study, the classification of Henri Bergson has been benefited significantly. This study focuses on how the Alphabet Reform is handled in the Turkish humor press. In this context, the cartoons published in Karagöz, Akbaba, Cem, Babacan and Yeni Köroğlu magazines and Cumhuriyet and Akşam newspapers in 1928-1938 and dealing with the alphabet revolution were examined. In this study, the reflection of the Turkish Alphabet Reform on cartoons is illustrated by giving examples of cartoons of the period.