The Turkish glees, language barrier
Ryder Gabathuse | Monday October 27, 2025 15:17
ISTANBUL: Istanbul, the enchanting city that straddles Europe and Asia, is a treasure trove of exquisiteness, history and culture. Its stunning architectural splendour, vibrant markets and breath-taking natural scenery make it a destination like no other.
In Istanbul, the past and present blend impeccably together, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere that will leave you enthralled and inspired.
I recently journeyed to Turkey’s most populous city, Istanbul at the behest of the Turkey government, covering a prestigious event, fifth Turkey-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) at which Botswana made an inaugural partaking,
Istanbul is indeed a major urban centre. This is also the richest city in Turkey contributing about 30.5 % to Turkey’s GDP. Other cities include Ankara, Izmir, and Bursa. Other urban centres include Antalys, Gaziantep and Konya.
The Turkish city has a massive number of motor vehicles approximately 5.561 million vehicles and approximately 30,000 new cars joining the roads every month.
Istanbul’s airport has recently received a 5-star rating from Skytrax, and has been named the 'World's Best Airport' by Condé Nast Traveler in 2024 and 2025, and the 'World's Best Airport for 2025' by Travel + Leisure. It is also recognised as the most connected airport globally for 2025 by the World Tourism Forum Institute due to its extensive direct international flights. The architectural beauty and the highest level of cleanliness and high tech say it all.
Skytrax is an international aviation organisation, which has given Istanbul airport a 5-star rating for its facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food & beverages, staff service, and security.
It also received the Readers' Choice Awards: Condé Nast Traveller readers voted the airport as the 'Best Airport in the World' for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025).
The beauty of the high-class airport and Istanbul’s infrastructural development generally from the airport and into the city proper, spoke loudly of the abilities of the infrastructure to connect the people. It also spoke of the city’s economic and social advancement. The people were receptive and willing to interact deeply if it was not for the language that was generally a hindrance and provided unnecessary limitations to the interactions.
Turkish daily life is vibrant and social, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage. A glimpse into day and night life in Turkey reflects that Turks prioritise socialising, often gathering with friends and family over coffee or meals. Traditional teahouses and modern cafes are popular gathering spots and markets and bazaars are bustling with activity, offering a wide range of goods and souvenirs.
As for Turkey’s nightlife scene is diverse and vibrant, catering to different tastes and preferences. Istanbul, Bodrum and Antalya are top destinations for nightlife, offering a mix of bars, clubs and live music venues. Traditional Turkish taverns serve local specialties, raki, and live music, while upscale clubs and rooftop bars offer stunning views of the city.
Overall, Turkey’s nightlife is a blend of traditional and modern experiences, offering something for everyone.
However, there was a marked breakdown in communication generally, as the Turkish community speaks mainly its home language from the airport to the Grand Hyatt Hotel (a five-star facility) where some of us were accommodated for the duration of the TABEF event and at the event itself.
It was apparent that the fifth TABEF was highly organised and attended by Turkey and African businesspeople and government officials mainly from North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa amongst others. Majority of the African states in exception of Nigeria and a few others spoke French making life so difficult for English speakers, this included newsmen. The situation was worsened by the reality that the organisers had hired translators of French-Turkish languages leaving out English speakers some what stranded.
Take for instance, a moment I shared with a businessman from Benin who identified himself only as Eilei. He spoke his region’s Arabic language and French. He didn’t know where Botswana is and my only limitation to share the story of my country and vive versa was the language. We couldn’t sustain our conversation because he was lost most of the time, so do I. He wanted to rely on his mobile phone translator but alas, he couldn’t go that far. We had met at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where we lived and at the convention centre where TABEF was held, but our conversations were always short-lived and unproductive. He would try to express himself in French and would leave me in sixes and sevens. Language was a serious barrier that broke flow of communication. As writers we rely on language to gather our information and write our stories. Life wasn’t easy when potential newsmakers couldn’t help because of the language barrier. The whole thing bounced back to me as an individual to break the language barriers by learning many of these languages especially French which is spoken across many countries.
Even when we were waiting for our shuttle from the Magnolia Hotel to the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, we simply spoke through sign language (with Eilei), as we could not understand each other. Whilst we were caught in one of the language struggles, I accidentally used the word “akere!” in exclamation as we alighted from the shuttle. This caught attention of a Motswana man living in Conakry, Guinea where he is employed in the iron ore mine owned by British-Australian multinational miner, Rio Tinto. He deliberately greeted me in Setswana and apparently he was my homeboy from Madiba ward in Palapye. We instantly became brothers until our long journey ended at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport as he is home on a month’s break.
On the Gaborone bound flight, I happened to sit next to a Motswana of Ethiopian decent and we discussed a few topical issues on current affairs both in Botswana and Ethiopia. The language troubles had eased off for now.
At a dinner session at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, I shared a table with a fellow journalist from Madagascar who struggled to communicate in English and there was incessant communication breakdown. My colleague was equally concerned about my non-French communication. At least I parroted, bon appetit, bonjour and merci amongst others, which could not really sustain the conversation. I wanted to get the full story of the recent ousting of Madagascar former president, Andry Rajoelina after youth-led protests. The fellow scribe was steadfast multilingualism or polyglot is an imperative in the journalism craft, especially for travelling writers to help them appreciate issues across the languages.
As a journalist, it became apparent that striving to understand the Turkish language after a short stay in Turkey and failing to get timeous translation actually robbed me of an opportunity of getting stories undiluted through Turkish language. This reality struck me when Turkey First Lady Emine Erdoğan, addressed a session in the local language and translation gadgets were not available or in short supply, may be because of the quick switch of events. She was addressing the Turkey-Africa Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship Dialogue, a werll attended event.
It was apparent that French-speaking Africans formed majority of the delegates to the just ended fifth TABEF. Experts say language is not just a tool for describing reality. It is a tool for creating it. “In the media, it plays a key role in shaping narratives, building emotions, and influencing public opinion.”
Journals also state that speaking; writing and reading are integral to everyday life, where language is the primary tool for expression and communication.
Linguistics scholars seek to determine what is unique and universal about the language we use, how it is acquired and the ways it changes over time. They consider language as a cultural, social and psychological phenomenon.
“Understanding why and how languages differ tells about the range of what is human,” said Dan Jurafsky, the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor in Humanities and chair of the Department of Linguistics in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford. “Discovering what’s universal about languages can help us understand the core of our humanity.”
Language is not just a tool for describing reality. It is a tool for creating it. In the media, it (language) plays a key role in shaping narratives, building emotions, and influencing public opinion.
Language is the most effective communication tool in conveying messages, thoughts, feelings, and goals to others and allows for creating cooperation between humans.
The effects of language breakdown were apparent at the checkpoints at the convention centre where majority of the security officers spoke the vernacular with some French translators deployed at the entrances. Their job was so difficult as some people were just prevented from entering the convention centre without words. It was so tough as some people had to wait longer without a word. Conversations were often lost in translation.
Oh before I forget, I found a special friend at the Istanbul international airport, hailing from Nigeria. He had caught the attention of many travellers with huge baggage he was checking in. Even the baggage he was carrying inside the flight was just massive.
The gentleman who was in the business section of the Ethiopian Airlines requested me to follow him as we marched to the boarding gate. He was indeed struggling with his baggage. We were quiet for the longest time as we fought our way to the security checkpoint. Just after completing the security checks he insisted I should follow him to the business class lounge for the Turkish goodies and I obliged. However, I was getting worried about my Nigerian newfound friend’s intentions. We enjoyed the sumptuous breakfast and hit the stairs to another and final checkpoint where they weigh the hand baggage. That is when trouble started. From one of his bags he removed about eight men’s suits and requested I pass them and he will pick them on the other side. I knew I was about to pay for the breakfast. It was a smart way of trying to beat the allowable weight at the airport.
As a law-abiding citizen, it was impossible for me to agree to this clear cheating system. I explained myself and claimed I was a cop who cannot break the law wondering what if this was a set up.
There are many airport sorrowful stories we have heard and currently there is a Motswana woman Lesedi Molapisi facing possible execution in Bangladesh after she was found in possession of illicit drugs at Hazrat Shahjalal international airport. That’s how our airport rapport terminated. The language barrier however, could not overshadow the Turkish delights.