FIRST TURKISH TRANSLATION OF SHAKESPEARE’S HAMLET PUBLISHED IN THE TURKISH REPUBLIC.

SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM.

Danimarka Prensi Hamlet [Turkish, i.e. "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Price of Denmark"].

Istanbul, Devlet Matbaasi, 1927

8vo. In the original printed wrappers. Spine with repair and a few nicks to wrapper with minor loss to lower part of both front and back wrapper. Discolouring to inner upper part of back wrapper. Very light brownspotting throughout. An overall fine copy. 71 pp.


The exceedingly rare first Turkish translation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet published in the recently founded Turkish Republic. Published by the Ministry of Education as part of “Examples from World Literature” series for schools, this translation is not only abridged but also employs a thoroughly simple language in line with the plain language movement that was initiated in the late 19th century. Written Ottoman Turkish had developed into a convoluted and tortuous language only a minor educated elite mastered and the present publication is one of the earliest and finest examples of this bourgeoning movement.

This movement “is a reflection of the attempt to educate masses and common people during the birth of a new nation after the War of Independence. However, only a year after the publication of Serif’s Hamlet translation, a grand change effects literature as well as communication and daily life in Turkey. Following the official proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, as the successor of the Ottoman Empire, the Parliament took new measures to westernise the newly established republic. One of the most visible distinctions between the western culture and that of the Ottoman Empire was the Ottoman language, which was written in the Arabic script. Although the first two attempts to replace the Arabic script with the Latin alphabet were rejected in 1923 and 1924, the law establishing the new Turkish script – employing the Latin alphabet – passed in November 1928.” (Bilge, History of Hamlet Translations in Turkey).

Order-nr.: 60042

DKK 22.500,00