Ending Cacophony, Establishing Harmony
17 August 5315
Prime Minister Turgut Atalar spoke to Mukavemet about the controversial Official Language and Minority Languages Act and recent protests against it.
Mr Prime Minister, many commentators question the need for the controversial Official Language Act. Why does your government insist on it?
It is quite simple actually. For hundreds of years, this nation saw its unity in the Jakanian identity and in the language that is spoken by all of its individuals. What we are trying to do is reinforce this unity by designating that language as the sole official language. We cherish our minority languages, but they are no means a unifying element that should be present in all official practices.
Majatran and Kalopian minorities regard this an oppression. What is your response to them?
I would like to correct one thing: Not all members of minority communities are against this legislation. We are not banning anything, we are not stopping anyone from speaking their native language, that is not even a matter of discussion. I want to quote Mr Anthiadis (Minister of Science and Technology), what we are seeking is ending cacophony, and altogether establishing harmony.
What will happen to schools that taught in Majatran or Kalopian before the legislation?
Most of such schools are given permission by the Ministry of Education and Culture to continue teaching in those languages, but the teaching of Turjak will be given priority. No longer there will be schools that does not teach in Turjak, which we regard as a national security threat and a tool to harm our national unity.
Thank you Prime Minister.
My pleasure.
Mukavemet was founded in 4900 by Zafer Yıldırım and functioned as the major newspaper of the National Progress movement during the Ahmadi Revolutionary period.