Is English used widely in Turkey?

Show all answers

Mr. Bobo

Yes, from what I have noticed Turkish members of this site, write better than most Americans even me if I am not careful.

I had a dollar for every time I have been corrected I would be a rich man.

Lucky for me too, because if I had to rely on my Turkish when I am in Turkey I would starve and get lost and disappear.

Yes, I have never had a problem not being able to communicate in English while in Turkey.

Totally Blunt

Let me give you this answer: When I was sitting at a cafe in Capitol (a mall), a young Chinese tourist group looking for a certain shop approached a middle aged woman with two children RANDOMLY. I was watching to see if I could help. The woman gave them the directions (with a better English than theirs, if not perfect) and the young people went away.

I guess you really can get along with just English in Turkey.

Lyns

I have only really been to the touristy areas of Turkey and English is very widely spoken, in fact my friends 5 year old daughter speaks very good English! and my friend's English is more correct than mine!

gaymal ataturk

lol turks don't know their own lang...stupid uneducated muslims...

usourselvesandourcats

It is not used among Turkish people to communicate. It is used to handle business (import export) with other nationalities or foreign companies. People do not just randomly talk in English in Turkey unless they are foreign and talking to another foreign national in English since it is the common ground. Everybody learns a second language (at least one) and most common is English. So tourists will not have a problem when traveling, even in a small village, there is going to be someone speaking to them even if not using proper tense or article. But, at least they will get the help they need. Yet, it is not like India where English is almost the second official language. Or like in Algeria, where French is almost the official second language.

istanbul bogazi

Yes, it is. Specially in bussiness areas speaking one foreign language (English) is like very ordinary these days. that's why people learn 2nd or 3rd languages.
We have a saying in Turkish "bir dil bir insan, iki dil iki insan"

lauren s

yes, people know english --especially in the cities. i have met some young kids & older people in the smaller towns who don't know english......
the more business someone does the more languages they speak as turkey has been an enormous trading/business center for centuries located between europe & asia.........turkey is big on education!!!

Ian M

No

You should be OK in the tourist spots. Waiters, Hotel staff and the like will know a little English but leave the tourist areas and few speak English.

Ian M

joeluw1977

In tourist areas, and large cities it is more common to find english speakers there. Away from the large cities and tourist areas, not so many speak english.

hanibal

No . If we compare with our population I cant say yes.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: