If you are learning Turkish, you will eventually come across the name Evliya Çelebi . Usually in passing. A name in a textbook. A street sign. A footnote. He is often introduced as “a famous Ottoman traveler.” That description is correct, but it barely touches what made him extraordinary. Evliya Çelebi was not simply someone who moved through places. He moved through language itself . Through how people spoke, feared, exaggerated, joked, and believed. He listened to words whi

People who start learning Turkish often ask a similar question at some point: “Is Turkish related to Arabic?” The question usually comes from observation rather than analysis. Shared words, Ottoman texts written in Arabic script, religious vocabulary, and familiar sounds all create the impression of a deeper connection. That impression is understandable. Linguistically, however, it is not correct. Turkish and Arabic are not related languages. What they share is history and co

Walk through Istanbul long enough and you begin to notice something.The city is loud, layered, restless. Yet certain buildings seem untouched by this noise. They do not dominate the skyline. They do not demand attention. They simply remain. Most of these structures share one name: Mimar Sinan . Understanding Sinan is not about listing mosques or counting domes. It is about recognizing a way of thinking. His architecture reflects a mind trained to calculate before speaking, to

The Ottoman Empire ruled vast lands without forcing a single language on its people. This post explores the millet system, linguistic coexistence, and why languages like Greek, Armenian, Kurdish, and Ladino survived for centuries under Ottoman rule.

Hello dear learners, It’s Seda. If you’re learning Turkish, sooner or later you’ll meet Lokum , often called Turkish Delight. It appears in markets, at holiday tables, in gift boxes, and inside countless stories. But Lokum is more than a dessert. Its history goes back over four centuries and carries language, culture, and intention within it. This post brings together the essential facts in a calm, clear, and enjoyable way. A Name With a Soothing Meaning Before Lokum became k