Cyprus-Forum.com

[magikthrill]

Stupid Americans still believe that Turkey is an Arab country. But the song `Istanbul not Constantinople` cheered me up in the end

Um, where did you get that idea from? First of all, the Arabs speaks with a different accent on the show. Although most Americans are indeed stupid I don't think this goes for the creators of the show.

As far as the song, I really like that song too. It's called Istanbul (obviosuly) by "They Might Be Giants" if you want to download it .

Personally I disagree with such things though. Media, in countries like the USA where people know very little about other countries, can very easily create in the minds of their viewers impressions that many times are not correct.
I would prefer a documentary where the Cyprus problem was presented objectively.

I think everyone would prefer a documentary but that will never happen on a US Network channel.

Also, I think it's interesting that Homer says "Cyprus-splitting" and not "Cyprus-occuyping", since it reveals the community division of Cyprus instead of just the land division.

[garbitsch]

I got that idea, because the Turkish accent of English is not like that. Besides, Turks don't play such music. And we Turks obviously can pronounce the Turkish city of Kahramanmaras with the sh sound in the end magikthrill, Americans usually think Turkey is an Arab country like Syria and Iraq, since many of my friends had faced with questions like `I heard your alphabet is Arabic alphabet, how can you read them?` etc. Anyways, I quite enjoyed this episode I think, nobody should get offended by Simpsons, since they usually make fun of even Americans

[garbitsch]

I think, the song's name is `Istanbul not Constantinople`, because this song was played in Julia Robert's movie of Mona Lisa Smile and can be found in the film's soundtrack album.

istanbul was constantinople
now it's istanbul, not constantinople
been a long time gone, constantinople
now it's turkish delight on a moonlit night

every gal in constantinople
lives in istanbul, not constantinople
so if you've got a date in constantinople
she'll be waiting in istanbul

even old new york
was once new amsterdam
why they changed it i can't say
people just liked it better that way

so take me backto constantinople
no, you can't go back to constantinople
been a long time gone, constantinople
why did constantinople get the works?
that's nobody's business but the turks'

[efe]

i was actually trying to find this episode. thanks for the link.

[Piratis]

many of my friends had faced with questions like `I heard your alphabet is Arabic alphabet, how can you read them?

It was Arabic until Ataturk decided to force the Latin alphabet on the Turks. He was hoping that such kind of changes will make Turkey European.

[metecyp]

It was Arabic until Ataturk decided to force the Latin alphabet on the Turks. He was hoping that such kind of changes will make Turkey European.

Maybe Latin alphabet, women participating in elections, etc. did not fully make Turkey European but Turkey is the only country in the region that is at least a candidate to be European. I suggest you go and walk around in Ankara one day. It's no different than a European capital.

[magikthrill]

It's only a potential candidate because part of it is in Europe.

And although I haven't been to Ankara something tells me they wouldnt be a succesful candidate if they h ad only Ankara and not Istanbul or Izmir.

[turkcyp]

deleted by the author...

[Piratis]

What defines you Europe?

Geographical area + culture.

[magikthrill]

turkcyp

i dont remember who it was but a long time ago someone used the term "ethnocentric". That is what describes Europe. It's not necessarily because Europeans are racist or they think that they're better than everyone else. BUt what defines Europe as Piratis stated is geography and culture.

Ok geography is set by the seas and the Ural mountaines. Now what about culture?

First of all (much to my dismay) European culture has its based on Christianity. (Turkey doesnt have this)

Of course over the centuries this has evolved into something completely different. First of all most countries are "secular" (but the majority of the citizens of Europe are Christian of some sort of form). (Turkey is attempting to approach this and most cities are but many more towns arent)

Secondly, modern Europe has been trying to find an equlibirum between capitalism and socialism but the balance constantly shifts. (Im not sure how Turkey is in this)

Thirdly, Europe has been putting more attention to dipomacy and thje respect of human rights than its guns (a quite weak miliatry power) . Turkey is DECADES behind in this factor.

Finally and more superficially, it's all about the style . Style is what led me to separate TCs from settlers when I visited the north. This is also relatd with seculraism and religion but regardless I just put it in cause its superficially true.

Now after my babbling answer me this question. IF Cyprus was an independent country COMPLETELY inhabited by Turkish Cypriots only then would Cyprus be part of the EU today?

I think not but maybe I'm wrong. What does everyone else think?