The name of Turkey is now Turkiye. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government started efforts for this in December. United Nations Organization (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Kavusoglu wrote a letter saying, now his country should be known as Turkiye, not Turkey. We have accepted this request.
What is the motive the government wants to make Turkey a brand name in the world? This is because the word Turkey or Turkish is considered negative according to the language there. For this reason, the citizens here have been calling it 'Turkey' since the declaration of Turkey's independence in 1923.
Erdogan had long been trying to get "Turkiye" (pronounced: tur-kee-yay) recognized at the international level. After the recognition of the UN, this effort has now turned into a success.
Last year, President Erdogan ordered the use of "Turkey" instead of Turkey keeping in mind the Turkish culture. According to this order - 'Made in Turkey' should be used instead of 'Made in Turkey' on all foreign export products. All Turkish ministries also started writing "Turkey" in official documents.
Since the beginning of this year, the government has also campaigned continuously to change the name to English. In the tourism promotion video, Turkey was saying "Hello Turkey".All Turkish government ministries also started writing "Turkey" in official documents a year ago.
Turkey's Directorate of Communication has said – We have campaigned to be used as Turkey on international platforms. Turkey's national broadcaster TRT World argued in favour of changing the country's name, saying - Turks like to call their country "Turkeys" and they want the rest of the world to know our country as Turkiye.
Turkish has many meanings. It is not taken for granted in most ways, especially in English. Turkey is called Turkey in English. Turkey also means fool. Not only this but it is also used as a failure. There is also a bird named turkey. In India, it is called pheasant. In North America, it is more common to serve and eat its meat at Christmas parties.
Therefore Turkey wants to change its name to the Turkish language. Anyway, in the Turkish language, there is only Turkiye. It is a different matter that instead of turkey in all the countries of the world, it was called a turkey.
The Netherlands
The Dutch government also overhauled its image by ditching the name Holland.
The Dutch government also overhauled its image by ditching the name Holland.
North Macedonia
In 2019, the Republic of Macedonia (though recognized as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) officially became the Republic of North Macedonia.
In 2019, the Republic of Macedonia (though recognized as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) officially became the Republic of North Macedonia.
Eswatini
In April 2018, King Mswati III renamed Swaziland Eswatini, underscoring the ruler's bid to break free from the country’s colonial past.
In April 2018, King Mswati III renamed Swaziland Eswatini, underscoring the ruler's bid to break free from the country’s colonial past.
Czechia
Again it's marketing that is behind the name change of the central European country, the Czech Republic.
Again it's marketing that is behind the name change of the central European country, the Czech Republic.
Cabo Verde
This island nation, located in the Atlantic Ocean about 700 kilometres (440 miles) off the coast of Senegal, lodged its official request for a name change in 2013.
This island nation, located in the Atlantic Ocean about 700 kilometres (440 miles) off the coast of Senegal, lodged its official request for a name change in 2013.
Sri Lanka
Like Eswatini, Sri Lanka changed its name to break from colonial associations.
Like Eswatini, Sri Lanka changed its name to break from colonial associations.