Echoes of the Turkish language reform: attitudes to Arabic and Persian loanwords in discourse

Arabic and Persian loanwords in Turkish, once targeted for replacement by 'pure' Turkish equivalents during the early 20th-century language reform, have been promoted by the government in recent years. However, public attitudes toward their use remain unclear. Based on 20 semi-structured interviews and a survey (N = 203), this study explores contemporary social meanings associated with these loanwords. The findings demonstrate how their use is interpreted as an indicator of education levels, intellectual capabilities, and political leanings. While strong support for the language reform persists, younger individuals view these loanwords more favorably and express less radical attitudes than older individuals.