Tirkije literatura inklude plu orali e ge-grafo erga ge-face in Tirkije-lingua. Id radi es in orali traditio de plu Turk komunita in Centra Asia; kontra-co, plu ge-grafo erga, klu si mu pa surge histero, reflekti ma religio e sociali muta. A-kron un Osman eva, literatura produce pa gene forma peri orali traditio; in hekto anua 19, Ocide influ pa intra-duce plu neo forma e tema, tali pa loka plu funda de nu-di Tirkije literatura.
In un eva de u Tirkije republika, plu demo e ge-grafo traditio pa konverge.
Pre-Islamic Period[]
The earliest written examples of Turkish literature belong to the pre-Islamic era, most notably the Orkhon Inscriptions of the 8th century. Carved in the Old Turkic script, they offer insight into the political and social life of the Göktürks. Oral traditions of this time included epics, proverbs, lyrical songs (koşuk), and laments (sagu). Among these, epics played a central role in transmitting cultural memory across generations, with some eventually recorded in writing in later centuries.
Literature in the Islamic Period: Divan, Folk, and Sufi Traditions[]
The adoption of Islam marked a turning point for Turkish literature. During the Karakhanid era, works such as Kutadgu Bilig established a written literary tradition, while Kaşgarlı Mahmud’s Divânu Lügati’t-Türk served as both dictionary and cultural compendium. In Central Asia and later Anatolia, mystical poets like Ahmad Yasawi used Turkish to compose didactic hymns, bringing Sufi teachings to broader audiences.
From the 13th century onward, Turkish literary production in Anatolia flourished. Yunus Emre became a pivotal figure in shaping an accessible poetic language imbued with spiritual and humanist themes. In parallel, Divan literature developed in the courts and medreses, drawing heavily from Persian models and using refined forms such as the ghazal, qasida, and masnavi. Alongside it, folk literature thrived through oral poetry, tales, legends, and the minstrel (âşık) tradition. Mystical and sectarian currents such as Alevi–Bektashi, Melami, and Halveti poetry enriched the literary landscape.
Westernization and Modernization (19th Century and Tanzimat Era)[]
In the 19th century, with the Tanzimat reforms, Turkish literature underwent significant Western influence. Oral traditions gave way to written forms, and new genres such as the novel, theater, and essay appeared. Writers like Şinasi, Namık Kemal, and Ziya Paşa used literature as a medium of social and political engagement. Early novels like İntibah and plays like Vatan yahut Silistre reflected this shift.
The Edebiyat-ı Cedide (New Literature) movement, centered around the journal Servet-i Fünûn, further integrated Western literary techniques and aesthetics. Figures like Tevfik Fikret and Cenap Şahabettin emphasized individual expression, artistic refinement, and psychological depth. Language debates grew intense, as critics challenged ornate styles and promoted simpler, clearer Turkish.
National Literature and the Republican Era[]
After the Second Constitutional Era (1908), the National Literature movement emerged, advocating linguistic purification, cultural realism, and national sentiment. Writers such as Halide Edip Adıvar, Ziya Gökalp, and Mehmet Emin Yurdakul contributed significantly to this direction. With the founding of the Republic, literary traditions of the folk and elite spheres drew closer, and a more diverse range of genres developed. The novel, short story, theater, essay, and criticism became central forms. Poetry explored modernism, social realism, and experimental techniques, later expanding into postmodern currents. Humor literature also gained prominence, serving as a vehicle of social commentary and popular communication.