Why Turkiye is called Turkey in English?

The origin of the name Turkey is Türkiye which means "the land of Turks"

Before explaining the relation between the country and the animal, i would like to write you about the origin of the word "turkey" and "turchia".

The original name of the country in its people's language is Türkiye which was called Turchia in Latin during medieval. The English version of this word was produced from that Latin version and became Turkey, meaning the land of Turks.

After 1500's this animal started diversifying the European dining tables with its new taste. It was well accepted as it had more meat and a nice taste and was easily adapted as a domestic animal. 

Although the origin of this bird was Mexico and had been brought to Europe by Portuguese explorers, the arrival of it to England was carried out by merchants who were generaly trading out from Eastern Mediterranean which was belonging to Turkish empire these days. Because of this people of England started calling this bird "Turkey bird" or "Turkey cock". 

I want to point out that England was the only country who was thinking that this animal was coming from Turkey. Because all the other European countries and even Turkey itself were thinking of it as a bird from more east.

In Turkey the bird turkey is called "hindi" which is origined from "Hindistan" that means "India". This misunderstanding was occured because this "hindi animal" started coming to our markets after Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama's landing to India. 

Portuguese explorers brought them from Mexico

Introduction

For the last 9 months, i was travelling through South America. I've visited 6 countries and forgot the number of the cities. This was the first time i've been abroad and well... I'm 35 years old.

I've always been an open-minded person but had no chance to see the other cultures or places before. I had my own excuses like i was working, i didn't have enough money, i wasn't ready, i was waiting for the moment... As you can see, when you want to produce excuses, you notice that the brain is a genius. To sum up, i broke my chains at my 34.

The more i've travelled, the more i've learned about these countries, their cultures, their people, the reason why they were like that but the more important, i started understanding it. Because i was feeling it, living it, breathing it, eating and drinking it. Now i have an idea about the dilemma "who knows more; the one who reads more or who travels more?" For me the answer to this question is; when you read, you read some other people's experiences, feelings but when you travel, you experience and form them by your own.

Through my travel i've met lots of people on my way who asked me lots of questions about my own country, Turkiye. (Well, you know it as "Turkey") This made me dawn on a big fact; I don't know about my country as much as i know about... for example Argentina. Because i haven't seen it like i've seen Argentina. I haven't feel it or live it like i did to Argentina. I should admit that the moment i've noticed this, i felt very disgraceful. And i've decided to change it.

You may wonder why i'm writing this blog in english. The answer is very simple. Turkiye(Turkey) is a very misconceived country as it contains so many different cultures and nations in its texture. Even for me. I can't imagine from your side. We all know what's going on in countries from news. Right? So, i wanted to share my experience with you to be able to express an opinion about what you hear around. For you to be able to consider things more objectively and maybe some day to visit the places where i've visited. So we'll have more in comun.

To sum up, enjoy it, share it and please comment it so i'll understand that i'm not alone here :))

One last thing, as i'm not a native english speaker, i may do some mistakes at my writings. Please tolerans them. Thank you.

Love,
Efser