Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, in his message published on the occasion of Turkish Language Day, stated that language is an indispensable value that gives meaning, spirit and content to a nation's culture and enables the transfer of feelings and thoughts from generation to generation.
According to the news in İHA, Bahçeli stated that nations have preserved the morals, traditions, memories, lifestyles and common values they have had throughout history largely through their languages, and noted that Turkish is the carrier of the nation's memory, common consciousness and common feelings.
"OUR TURKISH IS NOT ONLY A TOOL OF COMMUNICATION"
Expressing that the existence and future of Turkey is directly linked to the existence and future of the Turkish language, Bahçeli stated that Turkish is not just a means of communication and understanding.
Emphasizing that Turkish is one of the fundamental values that make a nation a nation and nourished by history and cultural accumulation, Bahçeli said, "Turkish, which has reached today by carrying the thoughts, memories and experiences of hundreds of generations, is one of the strongest bridges we have built between the past and the future. Therefore, it is our common responsibility as a state and nation to protect, keep alive, develop and pass on Turkish to future generations."
"THE WEAKING OF THE LANGUAGE IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE"
Stating that the weakening of Turkish and its loss of power against other languages over time should not be seen as a change that will occur only in the field of language, Bahçeli stated that the weakening of the language is an important issue that can lead to the damage of cultural belonging, national consciousness and common identity.
Bahçeli noted that language strengthens the sense of belonging among the members of the nation, fosters a common understanding of "we" and is a living entity that reinforces social unity.
Stating that Turkish has played an important role in shaping the political and cultural existence of the nation throughout history, Bahçeli stated that a great cultural heritage extending from Orkhon Monuments to Kaşgarlı Mahmut, from Ahmet Yesevi to Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey, from Yunus Emre to Ali Şir Nevai has reached today under the carrier of Turkish.
Bahçeli said, "Our Turkish language is a strong connector of thousand-year-old brotherhood, common memory and common ideals. Therefore, protecting Turkish is not only about protecting the past, but also securing our future."
Stating that Turkish should be further strengthened as the language of science, art, literature and thought, Bahçeli noted that it is everyone's common responsibility to use the language correctly, cleanly and carefully.
Stating that the language's own capabilities should be developed against the excessive encroachment of foreign concepts and words on Turkish, Bahçeli drew attention to the importance of revealing the richness of Turkish and keeping it alive as a strong language that can meet the needs of the age.
Stating that Turkish is a legacy left by our ancestors, Bahçeli said, "It is a national duty to love it, protect it, develop it and pass it on to future generations with all its richness."
At the end of his message, Bahçeli said, "On the occasion of the 26 September Turkish Language Day, I wish our Turkish language to live as a strong and vibrant cultural heritage extending from the past to the future and to become even stronger in science, art, literature and all areas of life, and I congratulate the 26 September Turkish Language Day."
