President of the Association for Bilingualism in Cyprus Düriye Gökçebağ, said that with the bilingual classes they are trying to remove the language barrier and bring the people of the both communities together.
She believes as individuals, regardless of their political views, must overcome language barrier because this would help people to overcome any prejudices and to get close to other people.
She talked about their work at the association in an interview to Voice International.
She said they believe that they can promote bilingualism at an early age.
“Which may sound like a utopia, but in a normal state consisting of two or more communities, everybody should be able to speak Turkish, Greek and then learn other languages” she added .
Let’s start first, with a few words about your career and your path to become the President of the Association for Bilingualism in Cyprus…
Since 2005, I have been working at the University of Cyprus as a Special Educational Staff. At first, I worked part-time, now I am a permanent staff member. I studied in Turkey and Greece. I teach both Greek and Turkish languages. I teach Turkish language at the university right now. I did the same in Greece before I came to Cyprus. Before the pandemic, in 2018 we had an idea together with some colleagues to establish a bilingual club and we were excited by this idea. We made sure to have founding members from both communities, under the term that they were all bilingual. That’s how we started and did several events. We did quite a lot of bilingual discussions at Ledra Palace. We have offered translation courses. There is a network with the aim of bringing together the people involved in Turkish and Greek, translation and teaching. We also did something original for the children, every Saturday. We have organized bilingual classes combined with smart games for different age groups of children. We believe that we can promote bilingualism from an early age. Which may sound like a utopia, but in a normal state consisting of two or more communities, everybody should be able to speak Turkish, Greek and then learn other languages.
What is the main objective behind establishing the Bilingual Association?
It is the promotion of bilingualism, to make people from the two communities know, like and love the language of the other community. So, somehow we remove the language barrier and bring them together. Because, indeed, the language barrier exists. Even I avoid speaking, while I also know English very well, but the way you express yourself in your language is different. There are also many similarities between these languages because they hide a culture within them. We lived together for so many years. So, the phrases, proverbs, gestures are so similar. Then, why not learn them and express ourselves fully? The goal is the promotion of Turkish and Greek languages , something for which is an effort was made without saying that miracles happened, but the efforts are not enough. For example, the teaching of Turkish and Greek languages on both sides is insufficient.
You mentioned earlier that you offer lessons in both languages to various age groups, both children and adults. Where do you get more response?
I can say that in the early days, people were more interested and even before the establishment of the Association. When the checkpoints had been opened, there was more demand. There is a flaw and a problem somewhere. The materials for teaching are insufficient, and so are the people who are engaged and have the right training to be able to teach these languages as they should, without underestimating anyone. More generally, however, as far as the teaching of Turkish and Greek as a foreign language is concerned, there are problems, especially for Turkish speakers. The trend of interest is also related to developments in the Cyprus issue. People are desperate, the pandemic intervened and enthusiasm and hope are lost. All motivation has lost. If the person is motivated, he will learn the language.
After 2017 we are experiencing a negotiation gap in the Cyprus issue. How does the Association react to this matter?
The Association avoids taking a political position on the matter. We are certainly affected, but in terms of politics , we are only concerned with the issue of language policy. Something that is directly related to political developments, because if there is any change and positive development in the Cyprus issue and in the relations between the two communities, the language policy will have to also change immediately. So that, we pave the way for the correct teaching of the Turkish and Greek languages.
Do you think that overcoming the language barrier could also pave the way for peace?
Surely. This is also our effort. We want to make the world realize that we first as individuals, regardless of political views, must overcome this obstacle and it will certainly help us to overcome any prejudices and to get close to other people.
Kallis Antounas-Voice International 2023
