Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı and the literary backdrop of his times
Middle Eastern Studies, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1080/00263206.2026.2643893
- Journal Name: Middle Eastern Studies
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Geobase, Historical Abstracts, Index Islamicus, Jewish Studies Source, Linguistic Bibliography, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Political Science Complete, Public Affairs Index, Social Sciences Abstracts
- Keywords: Cahit Sıkı Tarancı, post-Ottoman Turkish Literature, Republican Turkish poetry, Turkish language reform, twentieth-century Turkish poets
- Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı was a prominent Turkish poet and writer who produced most of his work in the first three decades after the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Changes from the old Ottoman régime also meant that the language of the élite and that of the masses had to coalesce, and transform with time and effort into a common and vibrant language suitable for the whole nation. At least two generations of poets and writers were involved in this task, and Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı was among those literary figures of the first rank who have left a permanent imprint on Republican Turkish poetry. The article deals with the details of Cahit Sıtkı’s life and presents an assessment of his poetical works, examples of which are presented both in the original Turkish and in English translations.