Exploring Common Ground: Hercules Millas and the Shared Linguistic Heritage of Turks and Greeks
Hercules Millas, a remarkable Greek-Turkish author born in Istanbul, has carved a unique niche in the world of literature. A polymath with a background in civil engineering and political science, Millas is celebrated for his exceptional work that bridges cultures and languages. In his book, ‘Türkçe Yunanca Ortak Kelimeler, Deyimler ve Atasözleri’ (Common Turkish and Greek Words, Idioms, and Proverbs), Millas takes readers on a linguistic journey, unraveling the common threads that unite Turks and Greeks. This article explores the profound significance of Millas’ work and delves into the shared linguistic heritage of these two communities.
A Tapestry of Shared Words and Wisdom:
Millas’ book is a treasure trove of linguistic connections. It meticulously compiles 4,700 common words and 1,275 proverbs that are shared between Turkish and Greek. Beyond mere vocabulary, these shared linguistic elements reveal a deep-rooted connection that transcends borders and history.
A History of Coexistence:
The shared linguistic heritage between Turks and Greeks may come as a surprise to some. While Greece was indeed part of the Ottoman Empire for several centuries, this connection runs much deeper. Turks and Greeks coexisted on the Anatolian mainland for nearly a millennium, fostering a rich tapestry of cultural exchange.
However, the 20th century brought significant changes. The population exchange agreement between Greece and Turkey in the aftermath of World War I led to the uprooting of Greeks from Turkey and vice versa. The once-thriving Greek community in Anatolia dwindled, leaving a lasting void.
A Shared Cultural Resonance:
Turks and Greeks share more than just words; they share physical features, emotional reactions, cuisine, customs, traditions, and even city names. Millas’ book uncovers the extent of these commonalities, highlighting that the similarities between their national characters are echoed in the use of shared proverbs and idioms.
A Bridge between Cultures:
Hercules Millas’ work is more than a linguistic study; it is a testament to the enduring connections between peoples. His dedication to cataloging the shared linguistic heritage of Turks and Greeks serves as a bridge that transcends political boundaries and historical divides.
Conclusion:
Hercules Millas’ ‘Türkçe Yunanca Ortak Kelimeler, Deyimler ve Atasözleri’ is a testament to the power of language in bridging cultures. It reminds us that beyond the complexities of history, politics, and geography, there exist profound connections that link us all as human beings. Millas’ work is a celebration of these connections, a reminder that shared words and wisdom can unite us, even in the face of adversity.
Herkul Milas included an “Ebru” picture on the cover of his book. The writer explains in the preface of the book that, he sees Greek – Turkish affinity as the affinity between motifs in Ebru art. Multiculturalism is often explained as different cultures living together in mosaic format however Herkul Milas believes in case of Ottomans, the different cultures lived together integrated within each other unlike the pieces in mosaic where each piece is on its own but connected on the sides.
A PDF version of the book can be found here.
You can also find an extended list of common Turkish and Greek words here.
Some Turkish and Greek food names (TUR-GREEK)
acem pilavı – acem pilafi
alkol – alkooli
ançüez – ançuya
baharat – bahariko
baklava – baklavas
bamya – bamya
barbunya – barbuni
biber – piperi / piperya
poğaça – bugaça
bulgur – bliguri
cigaralık – cigariliki
çeri (kiraz içkisi) – seri
çipura – çipura
çörek – çüreki
defne – dafni
domates – domata
ekmek kadayıfı – ekmek kadaifi
fasulye – fasoli
fesleğen- vasilikos
fıstık – pistakio
hamsi – hamsi
helva – halvas
ıspanak – spanaki
istavrit – stavridi
istiridye – stridi
kahve – kafes
kalamar – kalamari
karides – garida
katmer – katimeri
kefal – kefalos
Names (TUR-GREEK)
akasya – akakia
aralık – aralıki
âşık – asikis
açelya – azalea
bahar – bahari
buğlama – bulamas
fellah – felahos
kanaviçe – kanavaço
kanun – kanonaki
ağustos – avgustos
defter – tefteri
gazete – gazeta
Kur’an – korani
makyaj -makiyaz
nostalji – nostalyia
Some common Turkish and Greek idioms
άβυσσος η ψυχή του ανθρώπου – (Γ) insan dipsiz bir kuyu
αγάλι αγάλι γίνεται η αγουρίδα µέλι – (Γ) sabırla koruk helva olur *
µικρές αγγελίες – (Α) küçük ilanlar
αγγελικό πρόσωπο – (Α) melek yüzlü
κάθοµαι πάνω σε αγκάθια – (Α) diken üstünde oturmak
ρίχνω άδεια για να πιάσω γεµάτα – (Α) boş atıp dolu tutmak
θανάσιµος εχθρός – (Β) can düşmanı
ότι έχω και δεν έχω – (Α) varım yoğum
δεν µπορώ να κάνω ζάφτι (το άτακτο παιδί) – (Α) (yaramaz çocuğu) zapt
edemiyorum [zapt = κατάκτηση]
λόγια όλο ζάχαρη – (Γ) tatlı sözler
(όταν άκουσα τα κακά νέα) ζεµατίστηκα – (Β) (kötü haberleri duyunca) başımdan
aşağı kaynar sular aktı
σκάω από την ζέστη – (Α) sıcaktan patlamak
πίνω κάτι ζεστό [τσάι, τίλιο κ.α.] – (Α) sıcak bir şey içiyorum [çay, ıhlamur vb.]