Author: Mesut Şenol The Writer’s Process of Self-Construction Literature, in its simplest definition, is the human effort to understand humanity and the universe. However, this endeavor is neither an abstract mental exercise conducted alone in an ivory tower, nor is it a didactic tool put directly at the command of society. The existence of the
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“Mehmet, come inside!” called out the Mukhtar. “Yes sir, Mukhtar, I’m coming!” Guard Mehmet was wearing a custom outfit made of brown felt, resembling the uniforms of neighborhood night watchmen. The Mukhtar’s eyes locked onto Guard Mehmet. “Mehmet, as you know, our village hasn’t had a midwife for many years. Every time I go to
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The children of the school principal, Teacher Süleyman—Alper and Buket—were enjoying their holiday. As darkness fell, Alper, Buket, Mehmet, Ayşe, İsmail, Fatma, and İmdat sat together in a far corner of the schoolyard, chatting and gazing up at the stars in the sky. While the children were carrying on a pleasant conversation among themselves, sudden
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I could never get enough of looking at the partridges Grocer Uncle Ahmet kept in reed cages inside his shop. Black rings adorned their gray and beige bodies. Their red beaks resembled human lips. I was always looking forward to being sent to the grocery store. It was early May. In the afternoon, my classmates
“Alper, look who came! Serpil! She brought us figs!” My sister Buket was calling out to me from next to Serpil, who was standing at the door with a basket of fresh figs. Serpil was the tallest and thinnest student in our class. When school started, we would take our places together with Serpil in
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All children dream. They see their dreams mostly in their sleep, sometimes while awake, and at the most unexpected times. “What on earth happened to this child? Reading books has turned him into a shut-in! He is sleepwalking in broad daylight!” “Don’t mind him, my dear. It is normal for children to dream. After all,
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Istanbul In the book The Naive and the Sentimental Novelist (Yapı Kredi Publications; 1st edition 2016, 8th edition 2025), a compilation of the Norton Lectures delivered by Orhan Pamuk at Harvard University, the acts of writing and reading novels, the inner workings of a writer’s mind, and the techniques of great novelists are expressed
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The Most Common Element in Music and Poetry Poetry and music have always been intimately related. Music for example can help children develop rhythmic intelligence and notice rhythm in poetry and in a broader sense in language, which are important skills in learning how to read and developing fluency as readers. Since poetry on the
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Lera Boroditsky is a cognitive scientist and professor in the fields of language and cognition. She is one of the main contributors to the theory of linguistic relativity. She is a Searle Scholar, a McDonnell Scholar, recipient of a National Science Foundation Career award, and an American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientist.
ON LANGUAGE, THOUGHT, AND CULTURE Read More »
Each of us attempts, in one way or another, to understand and interpret the society in which we live. Insights found in seminal sociological works can provide us with valuable perspectives. I was delighted to learn that the book “The Coming Crisis of Western Sociology” by the renowned sociologist Alvin W. Gouldner —which I translated
UNDERSTANDING YOUNGER GENERATIONS AND SOCIETY Read More »
