The first two comments are responses to my piece “Sometimes differences are not just cultural” (Jan. 31, 2012):
Dear Charlotte: Your article of Jan. 31 is certainly on target but the generation gap has always been with us. Your article reminded me of a conversation I had with my grandmother in which she was telling of a conversation she had with HER GRANDMOTHER, who was born around 1870. My great-grandmother spoke of society in terms that mirror those of your article. A different time and place but the same basic ideas. From: Douglas (Champaign, IL)
Dear Ms. McPherson: I’m an activist and a member of the executive board of Tüm Üniversiteliler Derneği (TÜNİDER). The website is http://www.tunider.com/
Briefly, here is what the association is all about:
· Looking for solutions to address general and common problems faced by students, youths, our country and the entire world
· Encouraging youth and building a model for youth to handle problems, bring about change, offer solutions and make a difference by taking action
· Developing ideas and applying various projects for universities, students and graduates in order to improve their social backgrounds
TÜNİDER seeks to support all of the world’s youth organizations. Therefore, we started to support the GapGenç Festival, one of the biggest youth festivals in Turkey. The first festival took place in 2009 in Mardin, and the second one was held in Batman in 2010. The theme for the 2010 festival was “Cultural Faces.” The last one was held in Gaziantep, under the theme of “Volunteering.” The festival was attended by approximately 1,500 young people from 41 countries and all of Turkey’s 81 provinces.
In partnership with the GAP Regional Development Administration and numerous NGOs, the idea/concept of GapGenç is to create and develop youth and cultural centers, opportunities to do volunteer work, etc.
I am pleased to inform you that in early May we will host the next festival (2012) in Siirt and the theme will be “Cultural Citizenship.” There will be many different activities that include workshops, concerts, theaters, conferences, discussions, NGO displays, etc. We hope youth from many diverse cultures and different nationalities and from all around Turkey will attend. We want to emphasize different cultural values that belong to each of us and to demonstrate fairness and no discrimination. From: Serkan Çetin (İstanbul)
Dear Serkan: Thanks for the information about this association and how they work to encourage and help youth in the GAP region. Wish you success at the next festival!
BTW: I traveled around east and southeast Turkey in the early 1980s and then again in more recent years. The modern parts of the cities and towns in this part of Turkey now represent stark contrasts between its old and new quarters. Many of the old towns in the cities have a romantic and oriental feel about them. You see the sellers and some local people who are buying fruit and vegetables dressed in the traditional clothing, e.g., şalvars and colorful scarves and head dress.
The old parts of the city often consist of traditional Middle Eastern houses built around courtyards, invisible from the dusty streets, many of which are so narrow vehicles can’t pass. If you venture back into the narrow streets of the bazaar, you will see people scurrying to and fro carrying trays of food, which are eaten on newspapers spread on low tables in a corner of the little shops, many people drinking water from the same cup. This is the same area where you also can find the less-privileged.
In contrast, in the new areas sprawl rows of modern concrete apartment blocks, with lush green areas containing modern restaurants, sports facilities and other amenities with air-conditioning. Such a contrast in living standards and gaps between generations exists.
Here is a question from a Today’s Zaman reader: “Hey, I have a question about English pronunciation. Well, I’ve been to Canada for 10 month when I was 10th grade. Now I’m grade 11. And I really don’t know how to improve my pronunciation. I mean I really want to talk like Americans but I don’t know how to do it. While I was in Canada, of course I improved a lot but I want my English to be perfect. Could you help me out about? How can I improve my pronunciation? Thank you :)” From: Doğa
Dear Doğa, a conversation club run by native speakers or Turks who have mastered pronunciation would be a good place to start if you have intermediate speaking skills. Maybe some others will post some suggestions here for you.
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
