Cultural reportoire as a network of translated texts: the new literature after the Tanzimat period (1830- 1870)

Abstract

This thesis aims to draw the general framework of a future project about the period between 1830 and 1870 with particular reference of the cross-cultural encounter of Ottomans with the French. This encounter ended up in the emergence of a new cultural repertoire in 1870 which provided a new set of options for the members of the Ottoman society. This study aims to focus on the description of the elements of the new repertoire, whereas the detailed project should deal with the content analysis in order to find out dynamics of the construction process of the new cultural repertoire. For the framework, dictionaries and translated literature in forms of new genres are primarily analyzed. This framework emerges after the conscious planning activity by the Ottoman reformers, which may be defined as a successful attempt because of the newly emerged literature, which was not seen fifty years ago. However, the appearance of this new repertoire does not take place suddenly, but on the contrary, it is the result of a long-term negotiation process between the traditional elements of the old repertoire and the unknown elements of the new repertoire. Thus, the earlier understanding of the Ottoman translation was also taken into consideration. The first samples of philosophical dialogues, theatre plays, novels, and poetry are of particular interests for us. Also the role of the earlier developments upon this period is taken into consideration with particular reference to 18th century beginning with Tulip Era.