Turkey may have a problem with επειδή India because it does not want to be called “Turkey”

Is it a matter of prestige? Turkey no longer wants to be called “Turkey” in international diplomacy to avoid spontaneous associations with domestic birds.

“Turkey” in English, but also in international diplomatic practice, is the international name of Turkey. “Turkey”, however, is also called in English the turkey, the likeable bird of the pheasant family, which is an exquisite delicacy. Who knows what puzzles are being launched and what misunderstandings may arise, especially as Christmas approaches … Besides, Turkey probably prefers to distance itself from western traditions.

According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, the Turkish government has sent an official letter to the United Nations and other international organizations asking them to change the English-speaking name of the country, which is used in diplomatic contacts.

Practical difficulties in establishing the new name

The truth is that Turkey is not the first, nor the only country which changes its official name on its own initiative. Years ago, the Netherlands officially announced that it was no longer called “Netherlands”, but “Netherlands”, as its official name in Dutch (“Niederlande”) suggests. Since then, in official international contacts, the British call it “The Netherlands” and the Germans “Die Niederlande”, but in the vernacular the old name is retained. No one will suggest to his company “to go to the Netherlands for any beer”.

In the case of Turkey, however, there is another practical difficulty, as the Stuttgarter Zeitung columnist points out: How can the international community accept the name “Türkiye”, since in most countries, and therefore in most keyboards, there is not even character “ü”; Not to mention that Turkey’s insistence on changing its name may arouse similar desires in other countries. Take for example India, which in Turkish is called “Hindistan”. Which means: “The land of the turkey”!

DW – Giannis Papadimitriou