The Turkiye government has decided to redesign their country’s international image, and here’s why.
Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan released a statement earlier this month, changing the country’s internationally recognised name from “Turkey” to Turkiye.
“The word Turkiye better embodies and expresses the Turkish nation’s culture, civilization, and values,” according to the statement.
After agreeing to a formal request from Ankara, Turkey will now be called as Türkiye at the United Nations.
It is not uncommon for countries to change or modify their names.
Nation-branding can occur for a variety of reasons, including rising above cliches, presenting a more favourable image, and even for political purposes.
In recent years, an entire industry has sprung up to cater to countries and cities seeking to sell themselves worldwide and take control of how the rest of the world perceives them and their unique identity.
Recently, the Netherlands eliminated the word “Holland” in an effort to simplify its international image. Previously, “Macedonia” was renamed “North Macedonia” due to a political conflict with Greece.
Iran changed its name from Persia, which was mostly used by Westerners, in 1935. The word Iran means Persian in Farsi, and it was considered at the time that the country should call itself by the name used locally, rather than a name seemingly imposed from without.
Following the occupation of the country by the British and Russians, the change in name indicated a desire for the country to take control of its fate.
Over the years, eleven countries’ names have been modified or amended.
So, what makes Turkiye special?
In Turkish, the country is referred to as Turkiye. After declaring independence from the invading Western forces in 1923, the country took this name.
Over the years, Europeans have called the Ottoman state, and afterwards Turkiye, various names. But the names that have survived the most are the Latin “Turquia” and the more common “Turkey.”
When you search for “Turkey,” you’ll get a confusing combination of photos, articles, and dictionary definitions that conflate the country with Meleagris, a huge bird native to North America that is famed for being served on Christmas menus or Thanksgiving banquets.
“Turkey” is described in the Cambridge Dictionary as “anything that fails miserably” or “a stupid or silly person.”
While not flattering, that connotation has its origins in a centuries-old mix-up.
According to one account of history, when European colonists first arrived in North America, they encountered wild turkeys, which they mistook for guinea fowls, which were native to eastern Africa and transported to Europe via the Ottoman Empire.
Why Turkey is now referred to as ‘Turkiye,’ and why it matters
The guinea fowl was known as the turkey-cock or turkey-hen by Europeans, and the rest is history and a dinner table fare.
The vast majority of Turkiye people believe that referring to the country by its local variant simply makes sense and is consistent with the country’s goals of selecting how others should recognise it.
To that end, the recently released communique stated unequivocally that “within the scope of strengthening the ‘Türkiye’ brand, necessary sensitivity will be shown on the use of the phrase ‘Türkiye’ instead of phrases such as ‘Turkey,’ ‘Turkei,’ ‘Turquie,’ etc.”
However, the declaration by the government is simply catching up with what certain business organisations have been doing for decades.
The Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TM), an umbrella organisation for Turkish exports, said in January 2020 that it will adopt “Made in Turkiye” on all labels in an effort to standardise branding and the identity of Turkish firms on the international stage.
Turkey today prefers to be referred to as Türkiye by the rest of the globe. What other countries’ names have lately changed, and why? It could be politics, a departure from history, or even marketing.
The United Nations announced that the name Türkiye will be used instead of Turkey whenever the country is mentioned.
“Türkiye is the best reflection and expression of the Turkish people’s culture, civilisation, and values,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in a memo announcing the name change released last December.
Erdogan’s evident unhappiness with the country’s unfavourable relationship with the bird may have prompted the rebranding. Turkey has apparently gotten more image-conscious as its geopolitical significance rises, and Erdogan’s concern about how the country is regarded is likely linked to his nationalist instincts.
Several foreign organisations will be urged to change the name as part of a rebranding drive begun by Turkey’s president late last year.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in December, “Türkiye is the best reflection and expression of the Turkish people’s culture, civilisation, and values.”
According to the UN, the adjustment was made as soon as it received the request this week.
The majority of Turks already refer to their country as Türkiye. However, even within the country, the anglicised term Turkey is often used.
The state broadcaster, TRT, made the change quickly after it was announced last year. One of the reasons for the change was that the bird is usually associated with Christmas, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving.
RS
