Past Issues
Representative of Cultural Heritage, Wood & Kündekâri Craftsman and State Artist of Traditional Handicrafts : Ahmet Ay
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.81-108
AbstractThe values that people reveal in the process of change and transformation can be defined as culture in particular and cultural heritage in general. In terms of preserving cultural assets and passing them on to future generations, the concept of "cultural heritage" is essential. Having ancient values dating back thousands of years, Anatolian geography has hosted many social groups in the socialization process. The Ahi organization, a socioeconomic order where fraternity, honesty, and benevolence are all integrated, has long guided the transmission of cultural legacy and allowed Anatolians to develop their talents in the arts and professions. The Ahi craftsmen ensured the continuation of their profession and passed on the traditional knowledge created by society to following generations with the help of the professional organization that was established under the direction of Ahi Evran. The Ahi organization has common approaches with UNESCO's Living Human Treasures Program in terms of its professional principles and methods. The main purpose of both practices is to transfer the values, philosophy, and nuances of the profession to future generations. In this sense, it is possible to assess traditional craftsmen as actors and actresses who serve society and keep the tradition alive. The identification and promotion of the local actors and actresses, who are the living carriers and developers of traditional knowledge and experience memory, will perpetuate the transfer of cultural heritage. Ahmet Ay, a woodworker and kündekâri craftsman living in Kırşehir, is a traditional connoisseur who has been practicing his art for 40 years. The aim of the study is to record the information provided by the wood and lectern craftsman Ahmet Ay, who was given the title of State Artist of Traditional Handicrafts by the Ministry of Cultureand Tourism in the province of Kırşehir, which is accepted as the organizational hub for the Ahi, and to come up with recommendations for the preservation and transfer of this profession, which has sunk into oblivion. Ahmet Ay's nomination for inclusion in the inventory of "Living Human Treasure" in 2023 is still pending.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
Construction of The Culture in Turkish Television Advertisements
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.109-124
AbstractCommunication provides an understanding of the culture of a society and the symbols, values, and norms within that culture. It is aimed to persuade the target audience by making use of cultural signs in advertisements, which are one of the communication methods. Therefore, the cultural codes of the society in which individuals live are placed in advertisements. While advertisements are influenced by culture, they also influence culture. Advertisements can reflect the cultural characteristics of the society as well as their power to influence and direct societies. In this sense, as advertisements are mirrors of society, they should reflect the culture accurately in order to be successful. Based on the idea that advertising is a cultural sign, in this study, the way culture is presented in advertisements is examined. For this purpose, how the cultural values and norms of Turkish society are presented in advertisements and how they are placed in advertisement texts are emphasized. In this context, ‘Kent Advertisement of Bairam', which emphasizes the values of Turkish society, was selected and examined. It was emphasized which cultural elements were included in this commercial, and how these elements and characters were positioned. In the advertisement, which was analyzed with the method of cultural semiotics, it was seen that the cultural elements were presented successfully and the characters in the advertisement were positioned in accordance with Turkish culture.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
An Overview on the Determinants of Classical Turkish Literature Aesthetics
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.125-142
AbstractThe aesthetics of classical Turkish literature is influenced by a quite rich background. The period of classical Turkish literature covers a period of approximately six centuries in the history of Turkish literature. However, the factors shaping its aesthetics date back much further. The determinants of this aesthetics can be traced back to Sumerian, Babylonian and ancient Indian, Iranian, Greek and Arabic thought. It also bears significant traces of the Roman and Byzantine periods. These traces are generally mythological, theological, philosophical and mystical. In addition to these traces, it is possible to argue that various religions and beliefs, especially Islam, have influenced the aesthetics significantly. Moreover, some ontological, epistemological, psychological and moral theories are among the determinants. Phenomena such as music, plays, rituals, daily life practices and political developments are among the other factors that influence the aesthetics of classical Turkish literature. This study attempts to provide an overview of the determinants of the aesthetics of classical Turkish literature and how they have been transformed into aesthetic expression. By doing so, the study aims to provide a better understanding and recognition of the aesthetics of classical Turkish literature. The main question to be answered in the study is “What kind of perception of art and beauty do the texts of classical Turkish literature have and how is this perception shaped?”. This question will be answered through some examples from the texts of classical Turkish literature. The examples are selected from those that can be used to make general judgments about the aesthetics of classical Turkish literature.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
Place in Narrative: Hababam Class Series (1975-1981)
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.143-160
AbstractThe first and original series of Hababam Class films are important productions that humorously introduce Turkish culture and the young generation of the young Türkiye of that period, their problems, expectations, perceptions of life, positive and negative aspects. The films adapted from Rıfat Ilgaz's book series Hababam Class were released as six films between 1975 and 1981, followed by five films between 2004 and 2021. In this study, the first series of six films between 1975-1981 will be analyzed in terms of the relationship between place and narrative. The place, which gains meaning with the presence of facts, events and characters, and its framework in the narrative, is also able to directly affect the series of events in the film. It has not been overlooked that the interior and exterior of the Hababam Class films, regarded as cult series in Turkish cinema history, are a special dramatic element that influences the plot, tension and emotions of the characters, and that connection between the spatial frame and the narrative has been intuited by the audience in every film. Therefore, the representation of the places in the film and their indicators of the time-memory relationship express both the real and the fictional in the narrative through a series of connections. In this study, based on Umberto Eco's view that "the perception of place is directly dependent on cultural codes", a semiotic analysis of the places in the Hababam Class movies has been made based on Barthes' principles of plain meaning and connotation. It has been determined that the place indicators in these films take place as an important element in the narrative.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
The Place of Narrative in Traditional Turkish Theater : The Example of Rural Chamber Plays
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.161-184
AbstractWhen traditional Turkish theater studies are analyzed, it becomes clear that genres are contextually classified as having rural or urban settings. Plays with sural settings are divided into theatrical village plays; the plays with urban settings, on the other hand, are divided into Karagöz, ortaoyunu, and Meddah. Rural chamber plays, which constitute the subject of this study, appear as a type of theatrical village plays. These plays are different in terms of time and content from the theatrical village plays that predominately have ritualistic features and follow the natural calendar. Rural chamber plays are entertaining plays that bring the community together at henna nights, weddings, or a suitable house for the villagers. The body and verbal comedy predominate in the plays, and the game setting is selected from a living area in the village; actors and audience are made up of village residents. With these features, plays fall outside the definition of Western modernist theater. However, they are quite remarkable in that they are a unique genre that includes the concepts of "theater,", "performance" and "theatricality" that changed in the 19th century. These plays, which embody all the dynamics of the Eastern Theater, are crucial as they bring the lifestyle, residents, and settings of a rural area to a theatrical space. Due to urbanization, the reduction of living space in rural areas, and changes in how people view entertainment, this playing technique, which is now all but extinct, contains significant information for creating and redefining the notions of traditional Turkish theater. It is critical to consider, redefine, and evaluate these plays, which reflect the village's agenda in terms of content and structurally the relationship between play, theater, and performance in terms of both cultural heritage and creating a distinct type of theater. The play examples included in this study were chosen from those that were played by residents of the villages of Gülef and Musallar, which are located within the boundaries of the province of Kastamonu. The plays were archived by the participant observation method in the field study. For this reason, they are original examples in terms of demonstrating the traditional theater genres that have been living in Türkiye recently.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
La Projection Des Familles Ayant Enfant Handicapé Dans La Littérature: « Avez-vous du Bleu » - « Un Problème Personnel »
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.185-208
AbstractN'importe où et quelle période qu'ils soient, les parents mettant au monde des bébés en situation, avec leurs caractéristiques physiques ou psychologiques, éprouvent des difficultés par rapport aux familles normales. Le degré de difficulté varie selon la situation de handicap de l'enfant/bébé. C'est pourquoi les mettre au monde en santé occupe une importance au regard d'eux- même, de leur famille et de la société. L'objectif de cette étude est de déceler la situation dans laquelle les individus ayant des enfants à besoins spécifiques, les changements dans leur niveau de vie, la façon dont la société les considère et les effets psychologiques de cette situation sur elles. Deux ouvrages prennent place, l'une par turque et l'autre par littérature japonaise, dans cette étude comparative effectuée. Parallèlement à l'oeuvre « Avez-vous du Blue ? » par Uzun Ö, publiée comme une étude autobiographique dans la littérature turque et vue même dans le média ; l'oeuvre « Un Problème Personnel » par Kenzaburo Oe rémunérée par le prix Nobel et comme l'une des figures les plus importantes dans la littérature japonaise contemporaine forme le cadre de l'étude. Originellement publié sous le nom de Kojintekina Taiken, « Un Problème Personnel » différencie par l'usage des noms réels des personnes de chez l'autre. Cependant, cela ne change ni l'importance de l'oeuvre dans le monde littéraire ni la place de l'auteur dans sa vie privée. Comme ils sont deux de type autobiographique et donnent l'exemple des familles avec un enfant en situation, ces ouvrages différents par deux auteurs de différentes cultures marquent le même dénominateur. Par entremise de cette étude, on tentera de révéler les similitudes, les différences et les modes de vie s'accrochant à la vie parmi des familles ayant un /des enfant(s) handicapé(es). Les troubles que l'on éprouve individuellement parmi les membres de la famille et leur positionnement à un point différent dans la société exigent une approche multifonctionnelle au travail. Par conséquent, les travaux seront discutés en utilisant les données de la psychologie et de la sociologie et évalués dans la méthode éclectique (pluraliste) sous le toit de la littérature scientifique comparative.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
Proper Nouns as Cultural Values in Turkish Proverbs and Idioms
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.209-232
AbstractLanguage and language-specific structures, words, and idioms used by a society are an integral part of its culture. They reflect the cultural values of the society, and play an essential role in the transfer of these values to future generations. Quotations, idioms, and proverbs in a language are particularly decisive in this regard, and are the subject of many studies, both linguistic and cultural. Proverbs and idioms, in particular, are of great interest to scholars studying culture and language. In this study, we focused on the role of proper names in proverbs and idioms, and their importance in cultural transmission. We examined the meanings and significance of these special names in various proverbs and idioms, and attempted to determine their underlying meanings. Through a scanning method, we identified the names of people and places used in proverbs and idioms, and analyzed the proverbs and idioms in which they appeared. We also provided the meanings of these names in the sources, and discussed their significance in the context of the proverb or idiom. Although the number of proverbs and idioms with proper names is quite high, it is been limited in this study to those in which the same proper name was repeated multiple times. By focusing on these, we were able to gain a deeper understanding of the signs and meanings of these proper names, and their role in cultural transmission. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the importance of proverbs, idioms, and proper names in cultural studies, and highlights the need for further research in this area.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
In the Garden of Ottoman Poetry : Spatial Design and Perception in Ottoman Poetry
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.233-256
AbstractSpace and time are existential phenomena that constitute the two fundamental planes of existence. The fact that the notion of space is met with the word "mekân", which derives from the root of “kevn” (existence) in Turkish, indicates an important link between space and existence in Ottoman culture. The relationship between space and human beings is twofold. While humans transform the space they live in, space shapes human life. Spaces produced, inherited, or naturally inhabited by humans acquire a semantic field within culture. Therefore, a place may have cultural codes that may seem foreign to outsiders. For the Ottoman culture, which today has no living members and has limited data in terms of social history, these cultural codes can be analyzed by examining literary texts. The perception of space is influenced by and reflects the philosophical and religious background of the culture. In Ottoman culture, existence is not seen as a value. The idea of wahdat/unity, which everything reflects the divine being, is widespread. Accordingly, space acquires an important symbolic indicator function. Every element in the garden has a symbolic meaning. For example, gardens are seen as a copy of "cennet" (paradise), which means a hidden/protected garden and the rose signifies Muhammad, and the tulip signifies the unity of God. The garden also reflects the aesthetic perception of Ottoman culture. A beautiful Ottoman individual is a garden in its entirety, as every part of it resembles a plant. Unorganized wilderness or dilapidated buildings in disrepair are unaesthetic. This situation can be read as indicators of the Ottoman civil-city (medeni-medine) relationship and the patronage relations of Ottoman poetry. Finally, the garden can also mirror social relationships through the personification of plants.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
Les Mots Empruntes aux Langues Entrangeres en Turc et Leurs Effets Positifs et Négatifs sur la Langue et la Culture Turques dans le Cadre de la Relation Langue- Culture
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.257-284
AbstractThe Turkish language, like many other languages, has been influenced by foreign vocabulary throughout its history. The adoption of foreign vocabulary in the Turkish language has had a significant impact on its culture. The incorporation of words from other languages, especially Arabic, Persian and French, has enriched the Turkish language and expanded its vocabulary. This allowed for greater precision and nuance in communication and also helped preserve the cultural heritage of these other languages in Türkiye. Moreover, the adoption of foreign words has also been a reflection of the cultural exchange and influence that has occurred throughout Türkiye's history. However, it should be noted that it also has a negative impact on the language. This article aims to examine the positive and negative impacts of foreign vocabulary, especially French which has been adopted in the Turkish language on its culture. The study will focus on the historical context in which the words were adopted, the origins of the words and their current usage in the Turkish language. The study will also examine the cultural significance of these words and how they influenced Turkish culture. Additionally, the article will explore the role of language in the formation of cultural identity and how the incorporation of foreign vocabulary into the Turkish language has affected the formation of Turkish identity. The study will use a combination of historical and linguistic analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX
Nowruz Tradition in Kyrgyz Culture
EPISTÉMÈ :: Vol.29 pp.285-298
AbstractNowruz, which is widely celebrated in Turkish communities on March 21 every year, is considered as the beginning of the new year and spring in ancient calendars. The aim of this study in this context is to give information about how the Nowruz tradition is kept alive in Kyrgyz culture. The study group consists of 29 B1-level students who are learning Turkish at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University in Kyrgyzstan. It is important to communicate with the target audience based on cultural similarities and traditions in teaching Turkish. In this direction, the data in the study were obtained by having students write about Nowruz and were examined by content analysis. Within the scope of the data obtained, it was determined that various games are played on Nowruz, national dishes are prepared, juniper is burned to ward off evil, “sümölök”, which is unique to Nowruz, is cooked, and people visit each other. As a result of the research, based on the student sentences, it was determined that Nowruz brings people together sociologically and that the sense of unity and social solidarity among the people is maintained by cooking “sümölök”.
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- Scholar's Aid
- BibTeX