Thursday 11 February 2010
Random Turkish Fact #9
Whereas Brits use surnames in formal situations (i.e. 'Mr. Holmes'), Turks use forenames (i.e. 'John Bey' meaning 'Mr. John'). Bonkers.
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bey,
forenames,
random Turkish fact,
surnames
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4 comments:
you could also say "Sayin Holmes", so it`s not a rule to use the first name.
You're absolutely right, thank you for that. But would it be fair to say that it's more common to use the first name?
yes, it`s right that people usually say the first name followed by "bey". I would say "sayin" is an extra-polite word that has very limited use. you will hear that word mostly on tv programs.
Accordng to past conversations with my turkish husband surnames surnames were only introduced very recently so before this all they called each other were .... bey. And surnames had to be made up on the spot - my husbands family name is topaoglu translated as the son of the man who limps!!!!! It was an honour to call yourself this if you got your limp in a battle or such injury.
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