Cultural Connection of Korea, Turkic culture & Turkey

Exploring the Connection Between Korean and Turkic Languages and Cultures

The similarities between the Turkic and Korean language might not be immediately obvious, but both exhibit key linguistic and cultural traits that suggest a shared origin or mutual influence over time. As for the languages use subject-object-verb word order, agglutination, vowel harmony, and have similar sentence structures and pronunciation.

The Altaic language family suggests that languages such as Korean, Japanese, Turkic, Mongolic, and even Tungusic share common roots. These languages are agglutinative, meaning that they build meaning through the addition of affixes to a word stem, rather than changing the word itself.

For instance, in both Korean and Turkish, grammatical endings are added to convey different meanings, making the structure of the languages quite similar. Despite skepticism from some linguists, the evidence for this connection is too significant to dismiss.

The Altaic Language Family: Undeniable Similarities But An Ongoing Debate

The linguistic and cultural connections between Korea and other Altaic languages been a subject of curiosity for many scholars. Although some debate the validity of these links, others, like Professor Youn Myung Chul, argue that the connections between these languages, grouped under the “Altaic” family, are undeniable.

Upon closer examination, it’s not just linguistic similarities that connect these Altaic languages; there are also notable cultural similarities and shared traditions, values, and historical practices. From common elements in clothing and social structures to similar customs around family and community, the cultural parallels between these groups are as significant as the linguistic ones.

Cultural and Historical Connections

To understand how a possible connection could exist, it’s important to recognize just how far-reaching the Turkic cultures are throughout Asia (see image).

Like the Turkic peoples, Mongolic cultures were historically, and in some cases still are, nomadic. The Turkic world’s geographical reach across Asia demonstrates its significant historical influence. As Turkic peoples migrated westward from East Asia, they carried their language, culture, and traditions with them. In fact, remnants of Turkic culture and language can be seen in regions as far east as China and Mongolia and as far west as Turkey and Europe.

Turkey is geographically unique, with most of its land located in Asia but with some ties to Europe. Originally, Turkish language and culture are part of the larger Turkic world, which extends across Asia, from Siberia to the Mediterranean.

The Spread of the Turkic Peoples

Today, the Turkic world stretches across several countries, including:

• Türkiye (Turkey)
• Azerbaijan
• Uyghur people (Xinjiang, China)
• Turkmenistan
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Uzbekistan
• Siberia
• and more…

The Turkic cultures share deep roots in language, culture, and history, creating a strong sense of connection across the Turkic world. While their shared linguistic features allow for some level of mutual understanding, there are also significant differences in dialects, customs, and traditions. These variations make the Turkic cultural landscape incredibly diverse and rich, with each group contributing its own unique elements while still being part of a broader, interconnected heritage.

It is essential to understand that “Asian” is not limited to East Asians. The physical appearance of these groups can range widely—some look East Asian, while others resemble Caucasians or even Russians. This diversity is a testament to the rich, nomadic history of Turkic peoples, who mixed with various ethnic groups as they moved across the continent.

According to Wikipedia, the term “Turk” is believed to mean “strong,” a word derived from Old Uyghur. It is also said that the Chinese referred to the Turks as “Tujue” (突厥 T’u-chüeh), which translates to “powerful” or “dominant.” While I’m not personally an expert on this, I’ve come across similar explanations in various sources, including websites and from relatives.

Mongolic Influence on Korea and the Turkic World

Korea – The close proximity between Korea and Mongolia, has their long histories of interaction.

Turkic world – The same can be said for the Turks, who share historical ties with Mongolians due to their nomadic pasts.

The Uyghurs: A Bridge Between Turkic and Mongolia, Korea

The only geographical gap between the Turkic states and Korea is Mongolia. Mongolia is close to small part of China, inhabited by the Uyghurs, a Turkic people living in Xinjiang. Theoretically, if Mongolia had such a significant historical influence on Turkic cultures, and influenced Korea in some way. Positioned between Korea and the Turkic states, Mongolia may have served as a link, facilitating the exchange of traditions, ideas, and customs between these regions over centuries. While some theories suggest that Mongols might be ancestors of the Turkic people, this has not been conclusively proven. Nonetheless, the linguistic similarities between these groups are undeniable.

In another perspective, as said by Prof. Youn Myung Chul, Korea’s geographical position also allows for broader connections. He points out that the sea Korea is surrounded by, is referred to as Black Sea or “Kara Deniz” in Turkish. He considers it as a Mediterranean sea, further linking Korea to the Eurasian landscape. This road may underscore how cultural connections may have developed not only through land but also via oceans.

Turkic World is Mongolia

A great part of the world does not know, as to how far the Turkic world stretches. Discover here Turkish people visiting the Dukha Turks in Mongolia, and explore the cultural and linguistic differences between their Turkic traditions. (Subtitles available)