| Description |
Whistled language is the name given to a method of communication that uses whistles, a sound made with the help of the fingers, tongue, teeth, lips and cheeks, to simulate and articulate words. Whistled language is a variety of shrill sounds, which are created by forming the tongue into specific shapes in the mouth and using the vocal chords to articulate a wide range of phonemes. Based on a variety of syllables, the language is produced by combining different sounds or tones that emanate from the vocal chords. Words in any spoken language can be articulated using this whistling technique.
The challenging and mountainous terrain, which create a tough environment in Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea Region, has resulted in cultural practices that are very different from other parts of the country. One of these practices, most of which relate to nature and the environment, is the whistled language. The steep mountains and rugged topography of the region have resulted in houses being built that are remote and inaccessible from one another, giving rise to the local population finding an alternative way to carry out daily communication through the use of high pitched, loud sounds, which are created by whistling across the large distances. How this obstacle to face to face communication has been resolved is a strong indicator of human creativity.
Whistled language, which can also be seen in various other regions of the world, is an environmentally friendly form of communication that not only makes life easier and more harmonious but also reinforces social bonds for the people living in the region. Whistled language has a melodious and rhythmic pattern that is formed by combining many distinctive sounds that are established by consensus. With these patterns of sound, it can be possible to simulate, morphemes used in daily life, such as “Okay”, “come” and “go”; to exchange short dialogues for warning and SOS or calling for help, such as “There is a forest fire!” and “Would you like to join us tomorrow to harvest hazelnuts?”. Although the determining factor in the use of this language is the emulation and recognition of fixed phrases expressed using the whistled language technique, new words and phrases that are entering the modern lexicon can also be incorporated. In other words, the cultural life of the element is constantly being renewed with the introduction of up to date expressions.
Given the possible negative impact of modern technology on the natural environment and aspects of human health, one can see that not only is this element environmentally friendly, it also appears to contribute to environmental sustainability. The bearers of this linguistic legacy are now trying to broaden its use in their region by focusing on the element’s environmentally friendly characteristics.
The whistled language is used as a cultural means of expression by all segments of society, with no distinction in terms of age, gender, young and old. The practitioners of the element are mainly agricultural communities who spend most of their lives outdoors. In addition, governorates, district authorities, municipalities, universities, and mukhtars (village representative) all play an active role in safeguarding the whistled language with administrative and financial contributions, while the Community Education Center in the Çanakçı District contributes with educational programs and the Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association contributes with projects and various social events and activities.
Used to meet daily communication needs with its melodious and rhythmic pattern, whistled language is therefore not only a functional indicator of human creativity, it also has an aesthetic quality. Whistled language is an apparent part of the users’ cultural identities and the concerned communities consider that the reflection of their cultural identity is one of the reinforcing elements of interpersonal communication and social solidarity. In this context, naming the village that has been sustaining this cultural indicator, as “Kuşköy” (meaning: bird village), shows that they perceive it as an element of their cultural identity. Moreover, in Kuşköy Village, the whistled language is also called as “bird language”.
These days, with the increasing use of mass media, interpersonal communication is weakening and social divides are deepening. Particularly during a time such as this, whistled language, as a natural communication tool, supports not only mutual understanding, respect and solidarity, but also the environment, in terms of sustainable development. |
| Social and cultural significance |
The challenging and mountainous terrain, which create a tough environment in Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea Region, has resulted in cultural practices that are very different from other parts of the country. One of these practices, most of which relate to nature and the environment, is the whistled language. The steep mountains and rugged topography of the region have resulted in houses being built that are remote and inaccessible from one another, giving rise to the local population finding an alternative way to carry out daily communication through the use of high pitched, loud sounds, which are created by whistling across the large distances.
Whistled language is an environmentally friendly form of communication that not only makes life easier and more harmonious but also reinforces social bonds for the people living in the region.
The whistled language is used as a cultural means of expression by all segments of society, with no distinction in terms of age, gender, young and old.
Used to meet daily communication needs with its melodious and rhythmic pattern, whistled language is therefore not only a functional indicator of human creativity, it also has an aesthetic quality. Whistled language is an apparent part of the users’ cultural identities and the concerned communities consider that the reflection of their cultural identity is one of the reinforcing elements of interpersonal communication and social solidarity. In this context, naming the village that has been sustaining this cultural indicator, as “Kuşköy” (meaning: bird village), shows that they perceive it as an element of their cultural identity. Moreover, in Kuşköy Village, the whistled language is also called as “bird language”.
These days, with the increasing use of mass media, interpersonal communication is weakening and social divides are deepening. Particularly during a time such as this, whistled language, as a natural communication tool, supports not only mutual understanding, respect and solidarity, but also the environment, in terms of sustainable development. |
| Transmission method |
In spite of all the rapid changes in communication, transmission and technological developments, whistled language is transmitted from one generation to the next in the context of parent-child relation through both informal and non-formal education methods. Nonetheless, traditional methods are more commonly used in the transmission of the whistled language between generations. The families speaking the language are transferring their knowledge to their children through practical application and encouraging their children to maintain the tradition.
Communities and individuals related to the element have been conducting various activities in order to promote this linguistic element of their culture at national and international level, thus ensuring its cultural sustainability. In this context, since 1997, the Bird Language Festival has been held in Kuşköy, village in Çanakçı district of Giresun, where there is strong awareness of the fact that this language should be safeguarded and maintained before it disappears, by being transmitted from generations to generations. During the festival, which is called Bird Language Festival because of the language’s similarity with bird language, competitions related to the element are held to encourage the good use and improvement of the language. The aim of the Festival, which is attended by local communities, the bearers of this cultural legacy and local and foreign tourists and is supported by both local and national government, is to keep interest in the whistled language alive at local, national and international level. Also, since 2014, the Public Education Center in Çanakçı district has been providing training programs on whistled language to primary school students in the villages.
Although the concerned community is well aware of the importance and value of this language, as a result of technological developments and socio-economic changes, there has been a decline both in the number of people using the whistled language and areas where it is spoken. In particular, rapid developments in the field of communication and the use of more convenient technological devices have resulted in a decrease in the need for this element.
One of the most important threats to this element is the increase in the use of mobile phones. Prior to mobile phones, whistled language was being learned from a very early age and was a communication tool commonly used by almost all members of the community. Today, however, it is about to lose its communication function.
It is also clear that the new generations’ interest in whistled language has considerably diminished. As a consequence, there is a risk that the element will gradually transform from its fundamental sphere of use and be torn apart from its natural environment, to become an entertainment oriented, artificial practice.
This element of the region’s cultural heritage, which was improved and still survives as a communication system, contributes to cultural diversity as one of the distinctive examples of human self-expression. Scientific researches have ascertained that people who speak whistled language use both the right and left sides of their brain equally and the concerned communities believe that this makes a positive contribution to their creativity. That is why the gradual disappearance of this aspect of the communities’ cultural heritage is an important threat in terms of human creativity, skill and talent.
Since most of the bearers, who are competent in the phonetics and semantics of whistled language, are old and physically weak, its use has been on the decline, its sustainability is threatened, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for the language to be transmitted from one generation to the next. Another important risk, in terms of the sustainability of the whistled language, may result if the vocabulary becomes increasingly limited over time.
The environmental conditions are now one of the major factors behind the high emigration rate from the region. Socio-economic factors are also behind the acceleration in rural-urban migration. This situation leads to a decrease in the number of individuals, groups and communities related to the element and further threatens its viability.
In addition, as a result of globalization and changing lifestyles, the interest of the region’s young population in whistled language is also rapidly decreasing. This lack of interest in the language is one of the biggest threats to the safeguarding and improvement of its rich vocabulary, range and frequency of use.
In spite of all endeavours by central and regional administrations responsible for safeguarding cultural heritage in Turkey, and measures being taken by NGOs and cultural bearers, there is a concern that the whistled language may soon totally disappear, unless essential safeguarding measures are undertaken using an integrated approach. |
| Community |
It is estimated that currently nearly 10.000 people in Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea Region are able to speak and/or understand whistled language. Whistled language is widely spoken in Giresun, mainly in the Çanakçı district. However, the element is rarely used in the villages of the districts such as Görele, Eynesil, Tirebolu and Kürtün.
Furthermore, Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association (Kuşdilini Yaşatma Kültür ve Turizm Derneği) has been established to achieve objectives, such as how to sustain the whistled language, how to help to transmit it on to future generations and, by safeguarding this cultural heritage, prevent its disappearance through its promotion at local, national and international level, and by facilitating relevant scientific and academic research. The association is continuing activities, as an effective civil society organization, and with the participation and support of the local community. |
| Type of UNESCO List |
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List |
2017 |
