A broad cluster of regional dialects across central and eastern Anatolia. Internally varied; many features sit at the boundary with Azerbaijani and other Oghuz Turkic varieties.
Istanbul Turkish
Also known as: Standard Turkish, İstanbul Türkçesi
The Istanbul-area standard of Turkish. The basis of the modern written language and of broadcast Turkish.
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Frequently asked questions
What language is Istanbul Turkish?
Istanbul Turkish is a dialect of Turkish.
Where is Istanbul Turkish spoken?
Istanbul Turkish is primarily spoken in Türkiye.
Which region is Istanbul Turkish associated with?
Istanbul Turkish is part of the Middle East region on DialectAtlas.
Is Istanbul Turkish known by other names?
Yes — Istanbul Turkish is also referred to as Standard Turkish, İstanbul Türkçesi.
What are the other dialects of Turkish?
Turkish also includes Anatolian Turkish, Cypriot Turkish, Balkan Turkish. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.
Other Turkish dialects
See on the atlas →Kıbrıs Türkçesi
The Turkish of the northern half of Cyprus. Preserves Anatolian features lost in standard Turkish and shows long contact with Cypriot Greek.
Rumelice
The Turkish varieties of the Balkans, surviving from Ottoman-era settlement. Spoken across pockets of Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and northern Greece.