I have some general quesions, I am sorry if some have already been asked.

1. What is the fastest way to learn Turkish? I have been doing the classes here and on live mocha. I am totally getting the suffixes and other rules but I need more help with pronounciation. I know someone who speaks turkish that tries to help but our common language is english so we always turn back to that because I don´t know enough yet to be able to converse. I learnt spanish in 5 months (conversational) and after one year I was fluent. How long do you think it should take to learn this language if I spend as much time as possible on it?

2. How to I get the accents on my keyboard?

3. Is there any good sites/forum threads that will explain things to me like Turkish traditions, behavioural expectations, muslim religion etc.?

Hi there,

1. It´s hard to say how long it takes a person to learn a language, it depends on your motivation and language acquisition abilities. Since you´ve learnt Spanish that fast, the odds are you´ll pick up Turkish just as quickly

2. To get Turkish characters I think you need to load Turkish font from the Control Panel

3. Check our archives about Turkish culture, customs and traditions. There´s been a lot of posting on all kinds of things (from Turkish-in-laws to pubic hair shaving) over the 5 years this site exists. And if you don´t find something you´re particularly interested in, do not hesitate to ask

1.The fastest way to learn is to study all the time!! Combine that with a lot of practicing and there´s your recipe for success. YOu have to be willing to try speaking and writing despite making lots of embarassing mistakes. It helps a lot when you have someone who is studying with you, with whom you can discuss any dilemmas you might have, or a Turkish friend who is willing to take the time to explain the grammar to you (if she/he knows it!!).

3. This is a good forum to learn about Turkish culture.. either dig through old threads or just stick around and you´ll see a lot of cultural discussions.

Thanks! I apprecitate the answers.

1) If the main problem is pronounciation I suggest you listen music and watch turkish tv series (the new one Ezel is said to be really good. Only watched the first episode and seemed promising, if in the meantime you want to learn something about politics watch Bu kalp seni unutur mu, if you like drama and ´dress-to-impress´ kind of soap operas, Aşk-ı Memnu might be it for you ). Trying short translations here in the translation forum is also a good way to practice the rules you learnt and get fluency in writing and thinking in Turkish. Pronounciation is best learnt in an environment with turkish people around you, but if you cannot stay in turkey that long, watching tv and listening music is the best you can do from abroad I suppose!

2) Through the font control of your computer.

3) Read the older threads here (as said before, you can find virtually anything, try the search button on any specific topic if you like), or if you have any questions about a certain tradition, festivity, religious aspect, just open a new thread and ask.

Does anyone have any music suggestions? I looked up the song posted in the other forum (thanks for that!) It would be great if there were more songs with translated lyrics.

Also, RE: the forum. Is there a quick way to see only the new threads and posts? Is there any way to save the threads that you like?

The newest posts are shown on the bar on the right ´New in Forums´. As for saving, right now the only way is to save the thread in your favourites, but it is a nice suggestion, I will discuss it with the other admins and see if that would be possible.

Thanks for the help!