Why should an American learn Turkish?

 

The increasing the number of Americans who are proficient in foreign languages and improving their ability to engage with the people of other countries through a shared language is in the national interest. The United States needs personnel who speak another language in every branch of its agencies and departments. International businesses are concerned about competition with countries that have an endless need for technically skilled workers who speak a foreign language.

 

After the Cold War the importance of Central Asia has continued to emerge.

Countries that were once a part of the Soviet Union are renewing their connection to Turkey and the region are seeing a revitalization of Turkic languages and Turkic cultural expression. Central Asia is also a very dynamic part of the world and surprisingly under studied. This region needs more examination and key to this is supporting the study of the Turkish language.

 

Republic of Turkey, home to the Turkish language, is an important ally of the United States and strategically located in the geographic heart of the Middle East, having borders with Iran, Iraq, Syria, Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Supporting the continued study of the Turkish language in both the governmental and the private sector will help the U.S. continue to build strong ties with a very important ally in the Middle East and Central Asia.

 

Turkish is spoken not only in Turkey but also in a vast geographical area where the United States has a strong national security interest. This Turkish speaking region encompasses countries of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tatarstan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. This region’s importance not only comes from its geopolitical structure also from its being at the crossroads of the nation’s and the world’s energy security. Therefore, by equipping future envoys and government/industry workers with the appropriate language and cultural skills in K-12 age, where language learning is at its peak, today becomes critical to get them ready for the future America.

 

Recipients of this program will be qualified candidates for public service and global professionals. This program will provide secondary students meaningful opportunities to gain significant cultural competency in Turkish language and culture and will spark a lifetime interest in foreign cultures among American youth.