Turkish most spoken foreign language in Bosnia

With the activities of Yunus Emre Institute, interest in Turkish language and culture is increasing in Bosnia

Thousands of people in 70 countries have learned Turkish language and culture thanks to the 21 years of activities by the Yunus Emre Institute. Turkish became a second language, thanks to the efforts of the Bosnia and Herzegovina branch and Turkish TV series. Marriages between Turkish and Bosniak youth increased.

Thanks to the work of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Coordination Office, the first of Yunus Emre Institute’s (YEE) centers, which reached 90 in 70 countries on its mission to teach Turkish and Turkish culture to the world in 2009, Turkish is now spoken in almost every street and market.

Established in 2003, the International University of Sarajevo has also contributed to the increase in marriages between Bosniaks and Turkish youth. Abdullah Kutalmis Yalcin, Vice President of YEE, stated that there is great interest in Turkish in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 6,500 students receiving Turkish education.

Noting that Türkiye is the second most popular cultural influence globally after South Korea, Yalcin said, “Türkiye, with its TV series, food, and music, continues to lead as the second most influential country in popular culture with rapid growth.” Yalcin also mentioned that former Prime Minister of Romania, Victor Ponta, learned Turkish at YEE courses.

Mehmet Akif Yaman, YEE Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said, “There are about 35 Turkish TV series airing on channels, with almost every channel featuring at least one Turkish series. Bosniak shopkeepers quote lines from Turkish TV series even in the market.” Yaman emphasized that Turkish has become an increasingly popular choice as a second language in schools, and the growing language and cultural interaction, thanks to the International University of Sarajevo, has accelerated marriages between the two nations.

The enthusiastic interest shown by locals in the activities conducted by the Institute in Bosnia and Herzegovina is admirable. They perform our songs and folk dances so professionally that they cannot be distinguished from a Turk. Many songs and dances in the Ankara style have been adopted by Bosnians, such as the “Plum Branch.” Additionally, people of all ages proudly carry the Turkish flag alongside their own.

Source: Newsroom