Turkey’s language body criticized for sexist definition of ‘dirty’

ISTANBUL

The Turkish Language Institute’s (TDK) definition of the word “dirty” has drawn a sharp rebuke in Turkey, with the TDK accused of using a sexist description.

Explaining the meaning of the word “dirty,” the TDK gave the example of a “[woman] who is menstruating.” 

Popular author Elif Şafak drew attention to the definition on her Twitter account on May 1. “The definition of ‘dirty’ shouldn’t be this in TDK’s dictionary. A separatist, patriarchal mindset shouldn’t enter our dictionaries,” Şafak wrote. 

The TDK defined the word “dirty” in three different ways, including “one who is against the values of society.” 

This is not the first time that the institute’s definitions have been criticized for sexism. 

It previously raised eyebrows with the word “müsait,” a Turkish word of Arabic origin meaning “available.”  The TDK also defined the word as a “[woman] who is available to flirt with and who can easily flirt.”

Both the online and printed editions of the dictionary prepared by the TDK contained the same definitions.