Exploring Turkish Youth Language through Corpus Methods

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü - London hosted an enlightening and thought-provoking session in its Young Scholar Seminar Series
The event brought together an enthusiastic crowd of linguists, educators, and language aficionados eager to explore the intricacies of contemporary Turkish youth language. Dr. Efeoğlu-Özcan introduced her innovative research project, CoTY (Corpus of Turkish Youth Language), which is the first-ever corpus to capture the dynamic and evolving linguistic practices of young speakers in Turkey. Through a detailed analysis of authentic, everyday conversations among Turkish youth, Dr. Efeoğlu-Özcan’s research reveals the untold story of how language is shifting in the hands of the younger generation.

During the talk, Dr. Efeoğlu-Özcan expertly critiqued current studies on Turkish youth language, highlighting the gaps in research and stressing the importance of employing corpus linguistics methods to understand the true nature of language evolution. Her compelling arguments opened up new possibilities for sociolinguistics and language teaching, showing how technology and data-driven research can reveal fresh insights into the way young people are shaping the future of Turkish.
Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the unique role youth play in the linguistic landscape, as well as the potential for corpus-based analysis to transform both academic inquiry and educational practices. The evening’s discussions were complemented by a selection of delicious traditional Turkish refreshments, creating a warm and engaging cultural atmosphere alongside the academic exchange.

Yunus Emre Enstitüsü - London extends its sincere thanks to everyone who joined the event and contributed to its success. We look forward to hosting more exciting and impactful seminars in the future as part of the Young Scholar Seminar Series.
As Yunus Emre Institute London continues its mission of promoting cultural exchange and understanding, the event served as a platform for dialogue and exploration, transcending geographical boundaries and fostering connections between diverse communities. 
For more information about upcoming events and initiatives, please visit yeelondon.org.uk