An Effect on Cultural Identity: Dialect

Abstract

This study was carried out in North Cyprus to discuss the dialect differences of three cities in North Cyprus. Some geographical features of these cities were taken into consideration as well. This study was conducted with qualitative techniques. This study included a sample of a total 50 settlers of Turkish Cypriots from Nicosia, Famagusta and Omorphou whose ages ranged from 15 to 72. The study provided significant findings on the awareness of dialect, which has a big effect on cultural identity. According to the data, Cypriot Turks, after a lot of immigration, have different dialects in each city. It can be said each region has a variety of its own. The most effective factor on this is age. The old, the middle-aged and the youth of Cyprus have distinct dialects from each other. The dialect of the middle-aged people is closest to the standard but if they are educated. Consequently we can say education is another factor, but the youth tries to use the deepest Cyprus Turkish because they find it more sincere. Also they prefer to get into communication by using their own dialect.