Debate on education in the mother tongue between MHP and DEM Party

Following the DEM Party's move to bring the demand for "education in the mother tongue" to the agenda within the framework of the "Terror-Free Turkey" process, a new assessment has been made from the MHP front. MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız gave important messages in a statement he made on his social media account regarding the official language and the language of instruction.

"TURKEY'S OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IS TURKISH"

In his post, which he began with the phrase "Let us all be wary of the trap," Yıldız stated that the most fundamental characteristic of a national and unitary state structure is "having one official language and a single language of instruction."

In his statement, Yıldız assessed, "This reality is not to assimilate other identities, but to ensure common communication and make everyone a political and legal subject. Mother tongues belong to the cultural sphere, while the official language belongs to the public sphere. Turkey's official language, constitutional language, and common language is Turkish."

"OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IS TAKEN AS THE BASIS IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE"

Pointing out that the issue of language has both an individual and a public dimension, Yıldız emphasized that while everyone can naturally live their mother tongue in the private sphere, the official language must be taken as the basis at the societal level.

Yıldız said, "In the public and societal sphere, the official language that every citizen understands and can communicate with must be used."

"THERE IS NO EDUCATION IN THE MOTHER TONGUE IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES"

MHP's Yıldız stated that examples of education in the mother tongue worldwide are generally seen in federal systems, whereas in developed countries, the language of instruction is the official language.

Yıldız said, "Education in a foreign language is only seen in colonies or occupied countries. Education in the mother tongue is a practice valid in federations. A country's language of science and education is its official language."

"LEARNING THE MOTHER TONGUE IS A RIGHT, THERE ARE NO OBSTACLES"

Stating that learning one's mother tongue is an innate human right, Yıldız declared, "Learning the mother tongue is a right, not a favor. Everyone naturally learns their mother tongue and uses it in their daily life. There is no obstacle in our legislation regarding this matter."

The MHP official expressed that opposing the teaching of the mother tongue is incorrect, while emphasizing that the language of instruction is of vital importance for national unity.

Yıldız said, "Yes to teaching the mother tongue, but education in the mother tongue that would fragment our national unity is unacceptable."

"TURKISH IS ONE OF THE MOST MODERN AND BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGES"

At the end of his statement, Feti Yıldız emphasized the importance of Turkish by referencing the words of the late jurist Prof. Dr. Ali Fuat Başgil.

Yıldız stated, "Our Turkish language, which generations of thinkers and writers have refined over centuries with great care, is one of the most modern languages in the world in terms of its structure, one of the most charming in its expression, and one of the sweetest in its sound. The official language, constitutional language, and common language of Turkey is Turkish."