Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Relatively few of the Turkish-speaking community read posts on this forum, but when they do, they are often confused by our use of “TC” as an abbreviation for “Turkish Cypriot”. This is because they understand TC to mean Türk Cumhuriyeti (ie. Republic of Turkey), which of course is at odds with the meaning used on this forum. If, for example, one googles TC Başkanı (ie. TC President) you’ll get Erdoğan, and not Akıncı. (Click on the link below to see an example of this.)

The use of TC and GC (for Greek Cypriot) was used by Cypriot forums long before Kibkom came along … and one can appreciate the sense in having the abbreviations … however, that doesn’t stop our Turkish friends getting confused, when they venture onto this forum.

It should also be noted that many Turks are currently prefixing their names on Facebook with TC. They are not Turkish Cypriots, but secularist (mainland) Turks - indeed probably about 10% of my wife's Istanbul friends use the prefix. As above, the TC stands for Türk Cumhuriyeti. The reason that they adopted the TC prefix goes back to 2013, when Erdoğan referred to the Gezi Park demonstrators as “Ayyaş capulçu” (loosely translated as drunken louts). Consequently many Turks adopted the prefix “capulçu” on Facebook. However, others chose the prefix "TC” because around the same time Erdoğan proposed that the TC abbreviation be removed from signs, such as the T.C. Sağlık Bakanlıgı. (see attachment below)

So yes, when our Turkish friends see us using TC, they not only think we are talking about “mainlanders”, but mainlanders with a particular dislike for Erdoğan and his AKP party. To avoid this confusion maybe we should stop using TC for Turkish Cypriot.

Example of TC in Turkish press : https://www.ajanscyprus.com/tc-baskani- ... yer-buldu/

Suggestions? NCT - SCG?

KT - Kıbrıslı Türk ?

KT - Knights Templars? I'm on the naughty step!

waddo wrote:Suggestions? NCT - SCG?

Keith wrote:KT - Kıbrıslı Türk?

TomSteel wrote:KT - Knights Templars? I'm on the naughty step!

Probably best not to use any abbreviation ... just write "Turkish Cypriot".

Keith wrote:KT - Kıbrıslı Türk?

Keith, I think this topic came up a few years ago - Although Kıbrıslı Türk is the most frequently used translation for Turkish Cypriots, I always feel there is something lost in translation - Turkish Cypriots means they are first and foremost Cypriots, whereas Kıbrıslı Türkler means that they are Turks merely living in Cyprus.

I wrote:Erdoğan referred to the Gezi Park demonstrators as “Ayyaş capulçu” (loosely translated as drunken louts)

My wife has just told me the best translation for "ayyaş" is alcoholic, not drunk. And apparently ayyaş is used behind closed doors by particularly Erdoğan supporters to describe Atatürk and in particular his fondness for rakı. In any case, it is thought that Erdoğan delberately described the demonstrators as "ayyaş" as an insult to Atatürk. And this incensed the demonstrators even more.

However, I digress. Do we need to stop using TC? - Do enough Turkish-speakers, "confused" or otherwise, use the forum to warrant a change?

iancrumpy, really good to have you back.

IMO, I do not think we need to change TC to anything else. I believe that any TC using the forum would most probably work it out. Also, at the same time of creating this English speaking forum, I did create a duplicate in Turkish, but there has been no interest in the 6 years that have past, they seem content with the use of Facebook.

Soner wrote:iancrumpy, really good to have you back.

Thanks for that Soner. Yep, we teachers have nice long holidays ... so, while I have the time, I will probably be contibuting to things.

Soner wrote:IMO, I do not think we need to change TC to anything else. I believe that any TC using the forum would most probably work it out.

I agree. That said I had to explain it to my university-educated wife.

In any case, this thread has maybe made a few Kibkommers aware that the use of "TC" may, at least at times, cause a little confusion.

Agree, a very good point and now aware. Thank you.

C T?

Take the extra few seconds and type "Turkish Cypriot" in full. End of possible confusion.

Maybe not worry about it and if anyone is confused they'll ask?

If we start typing in out in full, does that mean we would be required not to use GC's, or LC's. I really don't mind that much when typing, but its not going to stop people using the shortened form in day to day conversation is it? Or should we make an effort to change?

sophie wrote: ... it's not going to stop people using the shortened form (ie. TC) in day-to-day conversation

I didn't know the Brits here did use the abbreviations in daily conversation - that said, my wife and I socialise far more with the Turkish Cypriots and Turks here.