Euphemisms and the final decision

A 24-year rule is an adventure in itself. With its zigzags, it feels as if we have lived through coalition periods where government changes were taking place that were not reflected to the outside, rather than a 24-year continuity.

It seems that some terms in textbooks will be rewritten within the scope of the Turkey Century Education Model (TYMM) implemented by the Ministry of National Education (MEB). The concept of euphemism came to mind. We all do this due to political correctness and various sensitivities. One reason for this is our desire to soften the injustice of reality or at least not to deepen it. Sometimes, the effort to describe reality in all its nakedness outweighs the use of euphemisms. In this way, an attempt is made to demonstrate the will to change reality.

As long as we do not stop the effort to change reality, there is no harm in such changes in terminology. As long as we do not settle for just this. However, the government's job is also difficult. If terms are to change according to maneuvers in politics, then we are in trouble.

Anyway... Let us assume for now that the latest change is the final decision. Let us look at the new terms:

''Turkestan'' instead of ''Central Asia'' (''Turan'' would have been more accurate, it seems)

''The Beginning of Colonialism'' or ''Colonial Policies'' instead of ''Geographical Discoveries''.

''Law of Relocation and Resettlement'' instead of ''Tehcir Law''.

''Crusader Attacks'' instead of ''Crusades''.

''Sea of Islands'' instead of ''Aegean Sea''.

''Eastern Rome'' instead of ''Byzantium''.

''Baseless Armenian Claims'' instead of ''Armenian Question''.

''Baseless Pontus Claims'' instead of ''Pontus Question''.

There are also some new terms: ''Blue Homeland'', ''Green Homeland'', ''Sky Homeland'', ''National Scientists''.

Not enough, but yes! We must do more. For example, it would be nice to write the full name of the state instead of ''Ottoman''. Or, instead of ''Secularism'', the term ''lack of bigotry'' (taassupsuzluk), which was the first term Atatürk used... Or we could produce a new name instead of the Greek-derived ''Istanbul''. In fact, while we are at it, let us ''nationalize'' all terms. How will we do it? Where will we draw the line of ''nationalism''? Is Turkish the criterion? Or is Islam the benchmark? Or both? If it is to be both, what kind of mixture will it be? And are these really their final decisions? Or will the nonsense of adding the ''Armenian Genocide'' to the curriculum and apologizing spread again in a few years? Or, as Kenan Evren said regarding Cyprus, will they say ''we had taken a bit too much'' and back down from the national cause? The government's staff has a difficult job. How nice it would be if a policy that could last 4-5 years could be established! But will it happen this time?

In essence, these terminology changes are not meaningless. If we are to move away from the language of imperialism and become national, let us continue. Let us set aside names given with the reference of the West and, more generally, imperialism, such as ''Middle East'', ''Far East'', ''Middle Ages'', ''World War I'' or ''World War II''. Of course, if we try to do this consistently, our job is difficult. Because we owe the names of many states to Imperialism and Colonialism. For example, ''Argentina'', which is derived from the Latin equivalent of the word ''Silver''.

Should we lean on etymology? For example, should we say ''Amr-El Bahr'' instead of ''Admiral''? When we try to wage war through language, things are not as easy as we think.

Let us favor philosophy. According to the MEB's change, new headings such as ''fallacy'', ''paradox'', ''informal logic'', ''abductive logic'', and ''temporal logic'' have been opened for philosophy. Something is changing, developing. Despite everything, the goal of keeping up with the era stands before us.

If we can take education, curriculum, and naming beyond narrow political oppositions, we can carry the still weak, ineffective, but positive steps of this latest change much further.