https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 5, 2025
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DEVELOPMENT OF TURKISH LITERATURE AND ITS DIFFERENCES WITH
UZBEK LITERATURE
Adiba Allaberganova Khamro kizi
1st grade sutudent UzSWLU,
Akhadova Khulkaroy Zarifkhon kizi
EFL Teacher UzSWLU
Abstract:
In this article is written about modern turkish literature and some best reasons for
reading a lot and being popular between booklover people and some similarities and differences
with uzbek literature are told . Besides that, this article is stated about when turkish and uzbek
literature developed and whose are their popular writers. While wrting this I use some methods
like: historical-descriptive method and textual analysis.
Key words:
differences and similarities of them, history of development, the most popular
writers, reasons of development turkish literature, degree of uzbek literature between readers.
Introduction
Many young people are passionate about literature and read a wide range of books on various
topics. As we know, reading books helps sharpen the mind and significantly contributes to
shaping one’s worldview and social consciousness. In today’s developing world, it is important
not to limit ourselves only to our national literature but also to explore the works of authors from
other nations.It is well known that Turkish literature is becoming increasingly popular among
people of all ages and is steadily gaining a prominent place among widely read literary genres. In
particular, it is being read extensively by young people and has even managed to win a special
place in their hearts as a favorite type of literature. So, what are the main themes covered in
Turkish literature, and when did it begin to develop? Another question we should consider is:
why have the works written by Turkish authors become so popular among today's youth and
managed to be counted among their favorite pieces? Uzbek literature is also widely read and, like
Turkish literature, enjoys a high rating among readers’ favorite books. However, due to the
distinctive nature and stylistic rules of Turkish and Uzbek literature, there are various differences
and unique features between them. Each has followed its own unique path of development,
shaped by different historical and literary contexts.
Literature Review
Initially, when we look at the history of Turkish literature, it has a very rich history and its
development spans many periods. At first, Turkish literature existed in oral form before the
advent of Islam, that is, from ancient times until the 11th century. As examples of this, we can
mention works such as
Alp Er Tunga
and
Oğuznama,
as these pieces were passed down orally
for generations. Later, Turkish literature entered the "Islamic period," which spans from the 11th
to the 19th century.During this time, Turkish literature was divided into types such as
"Early
Islamic Literature"
and
"Classical Literature,"
and many writers began creating literary works.
The "Tanzimat period" began in the mid-19th century, when the Ottoman Empire started moving
closer to Western countries. This brought new ideas and various new genres into Turkish
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literature. Moreover, during this time, many writers began addressing social issues in their works.
The most recent period is the
"Republican era,"
which began in 1923 and continues to the
present day. With the founding of the Republic of Turkey and the modernization process, new
Turkish literature—also known as contemporary literature—was formed. During this era,
modern young writers such as
Nazım Hikmet, Yaşar Kemal,
and
Fatih Duman
gan creating
works in new forms that captured the hearts of young readers. Turkish writers often create works
on topics such as
"Divine love," "Social justice and inequality," "Religion and spirituality," "Life
and death,"
and other motivational and psychological themes that influence human psychology.
For this reason—because of the relevance of the topics and the emergence of modern young
writers—Turkish literature is becoming increasingly popular among the youth. These
contemporary writers understand young people’s worldviews and address today’s most relevant
issues and popular concerns in simple language that they can easily grasp. Social media also
plays a significant role in this popularity, as book bloggers create various types of engaging
content, such as captivating video clips, helping Turkish literature gain even more attention.
Among the most widely read and popular figures in Turkish literature today are Sabahattin Ali,
Yaşar Kemal, and Fatih Duman. Looking at the reasons behind this popularity, it’s safe to say
that there’s hardly anyone who hasn’t heard of the famous Turkish writer Sabahattin Ali. He
touched the hearts of readers with his famous novel
Madonna in a Fur Coat (1943).
The author
mostly wrote under the influence of realism and socialism. This novel explores themes such as
love, loneliness, the search for identity, art, and the meaning of life, which has attracted many
young readers.Uzbek literature, like Turkish literature, has transcended many eras and found a
place in the hearts of thousands of readers. Throughout its long history, Uzbek literature has
experienced both periods of decline and periods of flourishing. From
pre-Islamic times up to the
8th century
, ancient Uzbek literature began to develop, primarily drawing on oral folk traditions.
The early
medieval period,
spanning from the 8th to the 12th centuries, emerged under the
influence of Islamic culture, just as it did in Turkey. During this time, the impact of Arabic and
Persian languages on Uzbek literature intensified, and great scholars such as Imam al-Bukhari,
Imam at-Termizi, and Abu Ali ibn Sina made significant contributions to the development of
Uzbek literature by writing in Arabic. Thus, over the centuries, our great Uzbek literature has
reached the world through the works of sharp-penned writers such as
Abdulla Qodiriy, Abdulla
Avloniy, Said Ahmad, Erkin Vohidov,
and many others. The Uzbek language is considered one
of the richest languages. Uzbek literature penetrates so deeply into the human heart that it feels
as if the writer has enchanted the reader with their words. Uzbek literature is often based on truth,
without exaggeration, frequently portraying the life and emotions of the writer themselves.
Perhaps that is why it so quickly finds a place in readers’ hearts. As our literature continues to
modernize, it becomes even more vibrant and appealing, gaining a stronger and more attractive
appearance.
Methods and Materials
This article is written with historical-descriptive and textual analysis. In historical part of article
describe trace the chronological development of Turkish and Uzbek literature separately. Many
researchers like:
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bican Ercilasun, Dr. Olimjon Hayitov, Edward Allworth,
Andras Rona-Tas.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bican Ercilasun- a Turkish scholar known for research on
Turkic languages literature and history. Besides that, Andras Rona-Tas- Hungarian Turkologist
with comparative insights on Turkic languages and histories. Dr. Olimjon Hayitov also learn
about Uzbek leterature.
Results and Discussions
Both Turkish and Uzbek literatures stem from the broader Turkic literary tradition and share
early influences such as Islamic mysticism (Sufism), oral epic traditions, and Persian-Arabic
literary forms. However, their historical developments diverged due to different political and
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cultural experiences. Turkish literature, especially after the fall of the Ottoman Empire,
experienced radical secularization and Westernization during the Republican era, driven by
Atatürk’s reforms. Uzbek literature, under Soviet rule, underwent Russification, ideological
censorship, and social realism—limiting literary freedom but also introducing socialist themes
and new genres. Moreover, while both literatures retained elements of their Turkic roots, Turkish
literature increasingly aligned with European literary trends, embracing modernist and
individualist themes. In contrast, Uzbek literature remained shaped by collective ideals and state-
sanctioned narratives under Soviet influence. Despite these constraints, Uzbek writers often
found subtle ways to critique authority and preserve cultural identity. Over time, both literatures
have continued to evolve, reflecting broader socio-political transformations and ongoing
negotiations between tradition and modernity. Today, both Turkish and Uzbek literatures are
being shaped by new social dynamics such as globalization, migration, and technological
advancement. In Turkish literature, themes like postmodernism, personal identity, and gender
issues are widely explored, while in Uzbek literature, the post-independence period has brought a
renewed focus on national identity, historical memory, and religious values. A new generation of
writers is enriching their national literatures by blending traditional forms with contemporary
literary techniques. In this way, both literatures continue to evolve-preserving their cultural
heritage while seeking new means of expression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I can say that Uzbek and Turkish literatures are among the favorites of many
readers. From Uzbek literature, we gain insights about our own nation, while through the
literature of other nations, particularly Turkish literature, we become in tune with the life and
people of that nation. The growing popularity of these literatures is greatly influenced by how
powerfully and vividly they are written. Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, in today’s developing
world, the way these works are promoted and how they attract people’s interest also plays an
important role. I can also say that everyone reads the type of literature they personally enjoy, and
this too contributes to a work’s popularity. The reason for this is that people tend to recommend
what they like, and among readers, book recommendations often reflect personal preferences.
Today, I consider both Turkish and Uzbek literature to be equally important, and that is exactly
why I decided to write an article about both of them.
References
1.
«A
History
of
Turkish
Literature»-
Talat
Sait
Halman
(
https://turuz.com/storage/Language/2018/2285-A_Millenium_Of_Turkish_Literature-
A_Concise_History-Jayne_L.Warner-Ingilizce-2009-224s.pdf
2. «Central Asian Literarures»- Edward Allworth (
http://portal.guldu.uz/download-edfiles-
.)
3. «History of the Turkish language from beginning to the 20th century»- Ahmet Bican Ercilasun
4. Turkish Literature Portal (
https://www.turkedebiyati.org/
5. «The Turkic Languages»- Lars Johanson and Eva Agnes Csato
