Yaprak Buse Çağlar The Turkish language underwent a profound transformation nearly a century ago with the transition from the Arabic script to a Latin-based Turkish alphabet. This shift was more than a simple exchange of letters; it encompassed grapholinguistic considerations, political and social contexts, economic factors, and the historical evolution of the Turkish language. Each of these elements played a crucial role in shaping the reform’s outcome.
The establishment of the Turkish Republic marked a drastic departure from its imperial past. After 625 years as the Ottoman Empire, Turkey redefined itself as a modern republic through sweeping reforms aimed at reshaping national identity. The Alphabet Reform, also known as the Letter Revolution, was among the most significant. The new script was intended not only to boost literacy rates but also to align the nation with the Western world while maintaining a connection to its linguistic heritage.
Despite meticulous research, the transition occurred in just four months. This rapid shift impacted literacy, education, and communication, altering how Turkish society interacted with its written language.
While the reform succeeded in many respects, Turkey’s typography and graphic design landscape remained underdeveloped compared to the global advancements of the era. The urgency of modernization of the nation overshadowed the potential for a distinct typographic identity to emerge.
My work focuses on rediscovering and reinterpreting the typographic heritage born from this historical transition. By studying typographic developments and their cultural significance, I aim to bridge the past with the present. Through my typeface family, Aksan, I explore my hybrid cultural identity while contributing to the narrative of Turkish typography. This project continues the typographic dialogue that began nearly a century ago, offering a contemporary perspective on language and identity.