Nurullah Ataç’s book What the Days Brought – From Word to Word, as Turkish original name is Günlerin Getirdiği – Sözden Söze, is one of the pioneering examples of the essay genre in Turkish literature. The work consists of two separate sections published together by Yapı Kredi Yayınları: Günlerin Getirdiği (1946) and Sözden Söze (1952). In this 269-page work, the first section contains 31 essays, and the second section contains 24 essays.
Thematic Content and Topics
The main topics discussed in the work are literature, language, translation, ethics, poetry, written language, classical literature, and Western culture. The author conveys his personal opinions on the problems faced by post-republic Turkish literature, while evaluating the writers, poets, and thinkers of his time. These evaluations include Ahmet Haşim, Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, Ziya Gökalp, Orhan Veli, Abdülbaki Gölpınarlı, and many other literary figures.
Ataç’s Style and Critic Identity
Nurullah Ataç stands out in the essay genre with a sincere, and at times harsh and sarcastic style. He is known for his outspoken nature, not being hesitant about his ideas. Although Ataç draws attention with his critical side, some readers see his main success in his identity as an essayist. His expression of ideas through "Keziban," a fictional character, occasionally adds a fictional dimension to the texts.
Language and Form Features
Ataç is a defender of simplification and pure language in Turkish. For this reason, spellings such as “buğün” instead of “bugün” (today) and “okumıyan” instead of “okumayan” (not reading) are notable in the book. This style, which directly carries the effects of the language reform, can be challenging for some readers.
The author addresses the problems not only of Turkish but also of the language of translation. He argues that formal aesthetics are more important than meaning in poetry translation. In this context, he also evaluates Western literary figures such as Mallarmé, Hugo, and Sophocles.
Literary Value and Topicality
Nurullah Ataç’s essays are considered texts that have maintained their freshness since the time they were written. Addressing issues that are still valid in language, literature, and education, Ataç touches upon not only past but also present issues. With this feature, the work has been able to remain a reference source for the modern reader.
Günlerin Getirdiği – Sözden Söze is one of the mature examples of the essay genre in Turkish literature. In this work, Ataç aims to present not only his thoughts but also a cultural and linguistic panorama of an era. His style, at times contradictory and harsh but sincere, has been found noteworthy for showing the place of individual thought in literature.
