No, Turkey does not currently write in Arabic. Modern Turkish uses the Latin alphabet.
The Evolution of Turkish Script
Historically, Turkish was written using the Arabic alphabet for over a thousand years, from approximately 900 to 1928. This script was deeply integrated into Turkish writing and culture during the Ottoman Empire.
However, a significant reform took place in Turkey after 1928. To achieve several key national goals, the Latin alphabet was introduced and officially adopted. The primary reasons behind this major script change included:
- Increasing Literacy: The Latin alphabet was perceived as simpler to learn and more phonetically aligned with the Turkish language, aiming to boost literacy rates across the country.
- Modernization: Adopting a script widely used in the Western world was part of a broader effort to modernize Turkey and integrate it more closely with European nations.
Today, all official documents, books, newspapers, and everyday writing in Turkey are in the Latin alphabet. While some historical texts still exist in the Arabic script, it is not used for contemporary communication or education.
