Uyghur Academy, an Istanbul-based educational group, announced on May 30 that it has published the five-part “Uyghur Language and Literature Textbook Series” designed for Uyghur youth in Istanbul. The group stated, “These textbooks are the first systematically produced, complete five-year textbook materials for primary school students, prepared with the efforts of experts from all fields outside the homeland. In other words, one book was prepared for each year.” The textbook series aims to play a critical role in preserving and standardizing Uyghur language education in the diaspora. This publication comes amidst China’s ban on Uyghur language education in the Uyghur homeland and the arrests of Uyghur linguists and teachers such as Yalqun Rozi and Rahile Dawut.
The following is the text of the statement issues by the group: “A 5-part “Uyghur Language and Literature Textbook Series” designed for our youth has been published in Istanbul (The books will be distributed free of charge to Uyghur mother tongue schools around the world).
The “Uyghur Language and Literature Textbooks” prepared by the Uyghur Academy Mother Tongue Committee are materials designed to systematically teach our children the Uyghur language and literature.
These textbooks published this time are the first systematically produced complete five-year textbook materials for primary school students prepared with the efforts of experts from all fields outside the homeland. In other words, one book was prepared for each year.
Through the texts imbued with a patriotic spirit and illustrations unique to Uyghurs in the books, our children will learn about the Uyghur national identity. It will also contribute to the emergence of a generation that can think independently, be self-confident, courageous, strong-willed, free from spiritual slavery, and embody the Uyghur spirit.
In compiling these textbooks, the texts in the language and literature textbooks published in the homeland were used as a basis. Other texts were also added. Special attention was paid to incorporating the Uyghur national identity that binds every member of the Uyghur community spiritually and ideologically to this community, the system of recognizing and thinking about living and non-living things, and the values passed down from generation to generation into the textbooks.
In terms of methodology, the latest research results of modern pedagogical science were taken into account. The topics were placed according to the level of children in each grade while highlighting the uniqueness of the Uyghur language. The materials were made to have a national character and scientific orientation.
In terms of spelling, the “Dictionary of Modern Uyghur Literary Language Spelling” published in 2009 with the work of people like Mirsultan Osman was used as a basis. Grammatical terms were adapted to the “Modern Uyghur Language” compiled by Arslan Abdullah Tehor and others and published in 2010. The original source of texts taken directly, shortened or modified from other materials is indicated in the “Sources” section. The names of those who worked are given by titles, and for those with the same title, in the order of the Uyghur alphabet.
Book 1 is the alphabet, aiming to teach our first-year children to recognize letters and read and write words and sentences. The letters in the book are arranged based on frequency of use. For example, letters like f and zh that are not used much came at the end. After the 32 letters, texts and basic grammar were provided.
Books 2 to 5, i.e. the textbooks for grades 2-3-4-5, are divided into 8 sections based on topics, with 4 lessons in each section. Of these, the first three lessons are texts of different genres related to the topic, while the last one is devoted to grammar. Each lesson consisted of texts and exercises. After each section, a “Practice Garden” is provided as a general exercise.
These books are the product of two and a half years of work. From the inception of the idea of compiling textbooks to publishing and distributing the books, a total of 113 people from various professions participated in the entire process. We sincerely thank all the selfless individuals who took on this historic responsibility and worked day and night, as well as all organizations and individuals who contributed ideas, regardless of how small or large, and provided material or moral support.
The Uyghur Academy has decided to distribute the books free of charge to Uyghur mother tongue schools around the world. Schools can request books by filling out the form below. After requests for books from diaspora mother tongue schools are collected, the relevant staff of the Uyghur Academy will contact the requesters and deliver the books by mail.”
The group said people can apply for the books by simply sending requests to the organization.(Here)
