Hürriyet, Turkey
Feb 20 2008

A Turkish university adds Armenian language courses to its curriculum

Nuran Cakmakci

A leading Turkish university based in Istanbul has started offering
classes in Armenian language as part of its course load. Following
approval by the Bosphorus University’s senate, three new classes in
Armenian language are set to enter the curriculum.

The first Armenian language class, which started in the second half
of the 2007-2008 school year, is focusing on the reading of Turkish
texts written in the Armenian alphabet. Two more classes which will
focus on the alphabet, basic vocabulary, linguistic rules, and
text-reading of the modern Western Armenian language, will open up in
the coming period.

The Armenian language class which has already been included in
curriculum offerings was filled quickly, with students currently
waiting for spaces to open. Offered along the lines of Bosphorus
University’s standard language programs, the Armenian lessons will be
taught alongside cultural history. Armenian is a criticial language
for students doing research into Ottoman history, as it allows for
the examination and reading of various important texts in this
discipline.