Let's Call Turkey's country Türkiye

The word "Turkey" in English is an anglicized version of the French word "Turquie," which was derived from the Medieval Latin word "Turchia," itself derived from the Byzantine Greek word "Tourkia." In English, it means “land of the Turks." 

The term has been used for centuries to refer to the region that is now modern-day Turkey, which has a rich and diverse cultural history dating back thousands of years. Despite being an anglicized version of the name, the word "Turkey" has become widely recognized and used in English media and communication to refer to the country.

Türkiye is the official name of the country previously known as Turkey. The name change was made official on May 26, 2022, and the Republic of Türkiye requested it. The "Republic of Türkiye" should be used in formal and diplomatic contexts instead of "Turkey."

Turks have been calling their country Türkiye since 1923.

The Turkish government prefers the name "Türkiye" rather than "Turkey", as it represents and expresses the Turkish nation's culture, civilization, and values in the best way. Not only that, but also in English language media and communication to promote their cultural identity, distinguish themselves from the wider Islamic world, and assert their national sovereignty. They have been actively promoting "Türkiye" in recent years as part of a broader effort to emphasize the country's unique cultural heritage and promote tourism.

Using the name "Türkiye,” the government hopes to create a stronger national identity and promote the country as a distinctive and attractive destination for visitors.

In June 2022, United Nations (UN) officially recognized Turkey as Türkiye.

In Jan 2023, the US State Department honored Turkey’s request to rename Türkiye. The state department has occasionally used the spelling on social media.

Today, I will honor their country by using Türkiye rather than Turkey in the future.

Will you honor their wish as well?