206. Today in 1920s Turkey: 28 November 1923 (The Readers’ Column and a Notice to Readers)
Comments:
As a self-proclaimed “people’s gazette” or halk gazetesi, the bi-weekly journal Karagöz considered itself the voice of the people, which is conveyed through its use of an unadorned vernacular language and through the simplicity or straightforward nature of its illustrations and cartoons. Likewise, the publication also made a special effort to connect with its readers by featuring a “Readers’ Column” on its fourth and final page, which was a more recent development that began in August of 1923, the same year as the present issue at hand.
A relatively longstanding publication dating back to 1908, Karagöz also boasted a broad distribution network across the country and internationally. The prevalence of this paper across these geographies is most visibly demonstrated in the content of these Readers’ Columns, as most entries include the name of the reader and their hometown. These columns follow a predictable pattern of question and answer, often drifting into “advice column” territory. This type of content is important to understanding the various questions, concerns, occupations, and preoccupations of a wide range of readers, although most falling into a more limited range of demographics, mainly literate men. (For more examples of the breadth of Karagöz’s readership, see post #151 covering another edition of the Readers’ Column)
In addition to featuring the regular Q&A-style presentation, today’s column also includes an announcement to readers requesting that all letters to the editor be signed and have a return address. Additionally, for those sending complaints (some seemingly criminal?), it clarifies that Karagöz would forward their requests to the necessary authorities but not publish them in the column. Such a delineation suggests legal boundaries or perhaps matters of privacy (for plaintiff and defendant) but also implies that Karagöz was an oft-used venue for seeking justice, hence the need for an announcement.
The pages of Karagöz are full of interesting and informative announcements that reveal a host of practical concerns regarding daily life. Some take the form of public service announcements, such as this one about traffic/pedestrian safety (post #85). Other examples prepare readers for new reforms by notifying them of when they will take effect (post #171).
Türkçe
Karilerimizin Sütunu
Sami imzasıyla yazılıyor:
— İstanbul cemiyet belediye azası ictimalarda hak-ı huzur almayı hamiyete muhalif bulmuşlardı. Sonra bir celse-yi hafiyede paraları kabullenmeye karar verdiler. Rum ili muhacirleri için hilal-i ahmer para arıyor. Bu efendiler almayı hamiyetlerine muhalif buldukları paraları veremezler mi?
— Paranın yüzü tatlıdır, derler. Bilmem ki kolay kolay vaz geçerler mi?
Kemal Daver imzasıyla yazılıyor:
— Harptan sonra Ankara’ya döndüm. Sanatkarım, Amerika’ya veya Almanya’ya gitmek istiyorum. Gideyim mi?
— Almanya ucuz ise de karışıktır. Amerika’ya gitmek için İngilizce bilmek lazımdır. Paranız varsa gidebilirsiniz!
Kerküklü üç genç imzasıyla yazılıyor:
— Ta Mosul’dan tahsil için İstanbul’a geldik. Lise kadroları kapandı diye almıyorlar!
— Maarif vekili İstanbul’a gelecek. Derhal bulup müracaat edin!
Karilerimize:
Kendinize mahsus sütunde sorulacak suallerin şahsi olmamasını ve muhakkak surette imza ve adresleri bulunmasını rica ve yolsuz muamelelere karşı vaki olan şahsi şikayetnameleri doğrudan doğruya ait oldukları idarelere mazrufa gönderdiğimiz cihetle ayrıca sütun-u mahsusda cevab vermeyeceğimizi beyan ederiz!
English
Our Readers’ Column
Signed by Sami:
— A member of Istanbul’s municipality association opposed daily allowances in communities as unpatriotic. Afterward in a secret meeting they agreed to accept the monies. The Red Crescent is looking for money for the emigrants from the Greek provinces. Can’t these gentlemen give the monies they considered unpatriotic?
— Money is sweet, they say. I don’t know if they will give it up that easy.
Signed by Kemal Daver:
— After the war I returned to Ankara. I am a craftsman/artist, I want to go to America or Germany. Should I go?
— Even if Germany is cheap, it is complicated. In order to go to America you must know English. If you have money you could go!
Signed by three young men from Kerkuk:
— We came all the way from Mosul to Istanbul for study. Because high school registrations are closed they are not taking anyone!
— The Minister of Education is going to come to Istanbul. Find him at once and apply!
To Our Readers:
We request for this column, which is exclusively for you, that you do not ask personal questions and include a signature and address, and we hereby declare that (while) any content pertaining to individual complaints against illicit activities directly received (from readers) will be sent to the appropriate administrative bodies, our responses to them will not be published in this column.
