Our short lesson in Turkish won't teach you the language in full, but contains enough of the most common travel phrases to help you get by. Download here » Turkish Language Lesson (MP3 | Size: 27.4MB) Turkish Language Guide Script For those of you keen to have a written version on the podcast, here is the script below Ahmet: Merhaba. You are a tourist?Scott: Ah, yes Im just enjoying the peace and the light. Ahmet: Yes, the mosque is very quiet at this time of day, we dont often see tourists this early, it is a lovely time to be here. Scott: Its incredible. Merhaba is hello right?Ahmet: Yes, thats right, or you might also say Nasilsimiz, which means How are you and a local would respond Iyiyim tesekkur ederim which means Fine, thank youScott: So, Nasilsimiz and Iyiyim tesekkur ederimAhmet: Not bad. How do you like the Blue Mosque?Scott: It is truly awesome, totally unlike anything Ive ever seen. Ahmet: Would you like me to take you to the prayer area?Scott: Of course, that would be terrific! Can we keep talking there - do you think you could teach me a few Turkish phrases?Ahmet: I would enjoy that, come with me what would you like to know?Scott: My name is Scott how do I say that in Turkish?Ahmet: You say ah-duhm Scott. Ah-duhm Ahmet. To ask a persons name is ah-duh-nuhz nehScott: So, ah-duhm Scott. Ah-duh-nuhz neh?Ahmet: Very good. Scott: Ok, lets see, how would you say Good Morning or Good Evening?Ahmet: Good Morning is gew-nahy-duhnScott: Gew-nahy-DUHNAhmet: Good Evening is ee-ahk-shahm-lahr and Good Night is ee-geh-jeh-lehrScott: ee-ahk-shahm-lahr, ee-geh-jeh-lehrAhmet: And Goodbye is ah-lahs-mahr-lah-duhkScott: Ah-lahs-mahr-lah-duhk. Ive noticed that people seem to shake hands every time they meet is this customary?Ahmet: Yes, Turkish people are very polite and quite formal. You should offer to shake hands when-ever you meet someone. If you know a person very well you might also kiss both their cheeks. You should also offer your hand when you farewell someone. Scott: Right, Ive noticed also that locals say something like allah-sa-mallah when they leave what is this?Ahmet: (smiling) you mean Allahaismerladik which is a blessing from Allah and the response is gule gule which means be on your way with a smileScott: Gule gule what a nice farewell! Should I refer to people by their first name or should I use Mr or Miss?Ahmet: This is a good question, we refer to one another as brother or sister so for young people you would use Hanim, as in Leyla Hanim or Bey for a man so you should call me Ahmet Bey. Scott: Ok Ahmet Bey what about for older peopleAhmet: This is Abla for women and Agabey for men. Scott: Abla, Agabey. What is that over there? Ahmet: That niche? That is the mihrab, it shows us the direction of kaaba which Muslims face when praying. Scott: It looks a bit like the opening to a huge passageway. Ahmet: Yes thats right, for Muslims it represents a passage to Mecca. Scott: Its pretty stunning! Now, how do I say Yes and No?Ahmet: This is eh-veht and hah-yuhr for noScott: Eh-veht / hah-yuhrAhmet: You will also see that Turkish people use body language quite a lot for no you will see a person lift their head and eyebrows and make a sound like tsk And for yes they will nod their head slightly forward remember this when you go to the Grand Bazaar have you been there yet?Scott: Not yet, its on my list to do this week! Goog tip - so head lifted and tsk is no and slight nod is yes! How do I say please, thank you and excuse me?Ahmet: Please is lewt-fehn, thank you is the-sheh-kewr-lehr and excuse me is AffedersinizScott: luwt-fehn, sheh-kewr-lehr and affedersinizAhmet: You will do well in Istanbul if you use a bit of Turkish and are polite. Also, dont forget to be respectful of elder people and people of high status this is very important in Turkish culture. Scott: Right, thanks for that. Is there anything that is really rude that I should really avoid doing?Ahmet: Generally, tourists are given a bit of lee-way but a few things to try and remember it is considered very offensive to point the sole of your foot at someone so remember that in Mosques particularly also, it is considered insulting to pass something to someone with your left hand make sure you use both hands or just your right hand. Scott: Great tips thank you sorry I mean the-sheh-kewr-lehr! How do I say I dont understand?Ahmet: This is the-sheh-kewr-lehrScott: the-sheh-kewr-lehr Ok, what about How much? And Too Expensive?Ahmet: How much is kahch-tahScott: Kach-paraAhmet: Very good, too expensive is chok pahaliScott: chok pahali. I know, what about numbers- what is 1-10 in Turkish?Ahmet: This is beerScott: BeerAhmet: ee-keeScott: ee-keeAhmet: ewchScott: ewchAhmet: durrtScott: durrtAhmet: behshScott: behshAhmet: ahl-tuhScott: ahl-tuhAhmet: veh-deeScott: veh-deeAhmet: she-keezScott: she-keezAhmet: doh-koozScott: doh-koozAhmet: ohnScott: ohn. What about some directions, how do I say Where is?Ahmet: This is neh-re-deScott: neh-re-de. And Which way to?Ahmet: … ne tah-raf-taScott: … ne tah-raf-ta. Ahmet Bey, I hope Im not disturbing your prayers?Ahmet: No, not at all I missed the first morning prayers so came in to catch up. We pray five times a day and I am now waiting for the next call to prayer, besides, I am enjoying our lesson! Scott: Thank you, its very kind of you. I know, how do I say I like this Im enjoying our lesson too!Ahmet: This is hosh – hu – ma geet - the Scott: hosh – hu – ma geet - the What about I dont like this?Ahmet: You say hosh – hu – ma geet – me – the Scott: hosh – hu – ma geet – me – the. What about when a local is speaking too quickly how do I say Please speak slowly or I dont understand?Ahmet: Please speak slowly is lut – fen ya – vash ko – nush - hunScott: lut – fen ya – vash ko – nush - hun. I know, what about bus, train, taxi and boatAhmet: My friend, the best way to get around Istanbul is by yellow taxi but make sure the driver puts the meter on! Taxi is thak - see, Scott: thak - seeAhmet: Train is tee - renScott: tee - renAhmet: Bus is ot – ho – bus Scott: ot – ho – bus Ahmet: boat is bot and ticket is bee - let have you visited The Islands the Princes Islands yet? It is a great way to spend the day. Scott: I am going to go over with a group of friends later in the week so boat is and ticket is bee - let what about ferry? And, just a few more Ahmet Bey, this is very helpful, how do I say have you a room? And May I see it?Ahmet: Ferry is va - pour and Have you a room is odha – niz var - miScott: odha – niz var - miAhmet: May I see it is goh – re – bee – leer – mee - yeemScott: goh – re – bee – leer – mee - yeem. Ok, last ones are police, hospital and doctor. Ahmet: Scott Bey you should not need these if you are careful, but just in case police is po - lisScott: po - liAhmet: Hospital is khas – taha - neScott: khas – taha - neAhmet: And doctor is dhok - torScott: dhok - tor. Ahmet Bey you have been a real help, I would really love it if you could show me the rest of the mosque. Ahmet: It would be my pleasure. Photo credit: col_n_sue

[ Tue, 6 Nov 2007 00:33:00 GMT ]

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