How to Learn Turkish by Yourself? Start with an Easy and Free Online Course!

We have adopted an objective and efficient approach to learn how to speak a language easily and quickly.

We suggest you start by memorizing words, phrases, and practical expressions that you can use in everyday life and that will be useful when traveling.

Getting used to pronouncing words out loud, such as numbers, is an easy exercise you can practice often and at any time throughout the day.

This practice will help you get accustomed to the sounds of your chosen language, making it more familiar.

Once your holidays have begun, whether in Ankara, Istanbul, or elsewhere in Turkey, you will be surprised at how familiar and easy to understand it will seem.

Furthermore, using a pocket dictionary is always useful, particularly during a trip. It allows you to find the translation of new words and enrich your vocabulary.

Why Speak Turkish While Traveling?

A Country that Straddles East and West

At the crossroads of Russian, Mediterranean, Balkan, and Middle Eastern cultures, Turkish territory holds great importance in exchanges between these peoples, whether in economic, religious, or cultural matters.
This strategic position has favored the presence of a multi-ethnic population that has built the cultural and linguistic wealth of Turkey through the mixture of Anatolian, Ottoman, Western, and Oghuz cultures. Between tradition and modernity, this richness is manifested in the sumptuous architecture of palaces, mausoleums, and mosques, in its literature with authors such as Elif Şafak and Orhan Pamuk (winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006), the finesse of its music, and the diversity of its gastronomy, rich in pasta, meats, fish, vegetables, and desserts.

Located mainly in Asia, the country is bordered by the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean. The Turkish territory also has lakes, forests, and two important mountain ranges.
While Ankara is the administrative capital of Turkey, Istanbul, the largest city, is the country's financial, economic, and cultural capital.

Make a Success of Your Stay in Turkey

Whether you are going to spend a few days with friends on a leisure trip or if you are on a business trip, nothing will be more useful than being able to slip in a few words in the language of your interlocutors. They will appreciate your effort and be more willing to help.

How to Succeed in Having Good Pronunciation Within a Week to a Month?

A Quasi-Phonetic Alphabet

As the official language of Turkey and Cyprus, Turkish is spoken by more than 70 million people.
To learn the correct pronunciation of Turkish, it must be taken into account that it is an agglutinative language with a widespread use of suffixes. Although the alphabet is quasi-phonetic (it is pronounced as it is read), with letters that almost always correspond to the same sound, the language includes a complex system of vowel harmony that organizes the depth, rounding, and aperture of vowels.

Pronunciation Guidelines to Get You Started:

• The R is rolled, like the simple R in Spanish.
• The L is always velarized as in English.
• The K is pronounced as in French: it palatalizes before E, I, Ö, Ü.
• The Ğ is not pronounced; it always appears after a vowel. At the end of the word or before another consonant, it lengthens the vowel that precedes it.
• In Turkish, it is necessary to pronounce all the letters, as the junction of two letters does not create a new sound.

We invite you to listen to the pronunciation of the letters by clicking on the following link: Turkish alphabet with audio.

Practical Tips for Learning Turkish

1. Start with the Basics

Begin by learning the Turkish alphabet and basic pronunciation rules. This foundation will help you read and speak Turkish more accurately.

2. Build Your Vocabulary

Focus on everyday words and phrases that you are likely to use. Flashcards and language apps can be very helpful in expanding your vocabulary.

3. Practice Speaking

Speak Turkish as much as possible. Practice with native speakers or fellow learners. Use language exchange platforms to find conversation partners.

4. Immerse Yourself

Immerse yourself in the language through Turkish media. Watch Turkish movies, listen to Turkish music, and follow Turkish news. This will help improve your listening skills and familiarize you with the cultural context.

5. Use Official Online Resources

There are many excellent official online resources to help you learn Turkish:

• Republic of Turkey - Official Website: Offers comprehensive resources for learning Turkish and information about Turkey.
• Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA): Provides resources for learning about Turkish culture and language.

6. Take a Language Course

Consider enrolling in a language course with a qualified teacher. Personalized instruction can accelerate your learning and help you master difficult concepts.

7. Stay Consistent

Consistency is key. Practice Turkish daily, even if only for a few minutes. Regular exposure and practice will lead to steady progress.

By following these steps and utilizing the available resources, you can start speaking and understanding Turkish in no time. Happy learning!