Born in 1922 in Nevşehir, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Korkmaz became one of the leading figures in Turkology, making significant contributions to the study of Turkish language and literature. Throughout her academic career, she conducted extensive research on the history, development, and dialects of Turkish, actively participating in numerous national and international scientific events. Holding key positions in the Türk Dil Kurumu (Turkish Language Association) and various academic institutions, she has demonstrated the richness and deep-rooted history of the Turkish language through her scholarly works.
Youth and Education
Zeynep Korkmaz completed her primary, secondary, and high school education in İzmir and graduated from İzmir Girls' High School in 1940. In 1944, she successfully completed her studies at the Turkish Language and Literature Department of Ankara University, Faculty of Language, History, and Geography. In 1945, she was appointed as a research assistant in the same department, taking her first step into academia. In 1950, she earned her doctorate with a thesis on Anatolian dialects.
To enhance her academic expertise, she went to Germany and conducted comprehensive research on the Turkish language at Hamburg University under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Annamaria von Gabain, Prof. Dr. Omeljan Pritsak, and Prof. Dr. von Essen.
Career and Achievements
In 1957, Korkmaz successfully passed her associate professorship exams and was appointed as an Associate Professor of Turkish Language at the Faculty of Language, History, and Geography. In 1964, she was promoted to professor. Throughout her academic career, she conducted research at various universities in Turkey and Europe. With research grants from British Council and Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung, she studied Turkish language manuscripts in prestigious libraries in England and Germany.
Zeynep Korkmaz also held several administrative and advisory positions:
- Member of the Faculty Administrative Board (1958-1960, 1966-1968, 1972-1976)
- Member of the Advisory Board of the Ministry of Culture (1974-1983)
- Head of the Turkish Language Department at Ankara University (1981-1983)
- Member of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) (1983-1990)
- Vice President of the Council of Higher Education (1989-1990)
- Member of the TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation) Board (1984-1988)
- Professor at Gazi University after retirement
Contributions
Korkmaz was a core member of the Türk Dil Kurumu (Turkish Language Association) from 1945 to 1980, serving on various committees. Since 1983, she was a member of the Scientific Board of the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History, making invaluable contributions to Turkish grammar and dialect studies.
Her extensive academic output includes 14 major books and over 250 research articles, some of which were published in German, English, and Russian. She also translated Atatürk’s renowned work "Nutuk" into modern Turkish, which has been published six times by the Atatürk Research Center.
Personal Life
Zeynep Korkmaz lost her husband in 1984. Her two sons, A. Gültekin and A. İltekin Korkmaz, continue their professional careers in the United States. She also had two grandchildren, Ender Burak and Ceylan Zeynep. Dedicated to Turkish language research, Korkmaz left a profound mark on the academic and scientific community.
Final Years and Passing
Prof. Dr. Zeynep Korkmaz continued her academic research for many years, focusing on the Turkish language and its historical development. She passed away on February 6, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of invaluable contributions to Turkology and linguistics.
Legacy and Influence
Recognized for her outstanding contributions to Turkish linguistics and Turkology, Korkmaz was honored with numerous awards and plaques:
- In 1967, she won the Yunus Nadi Literary Prize
- Türk Dil Kurumu (The Turkish Language Association) awarded her a Certificate of Outstanding Service
- In 1996, an entire volume of Turkish Culture Studies Journal was dedicated to her
She regularly participated in Turkish Language Congresses and international scientific symposiums, earning great respect in the scientific community. Her research on Turkish language history, structure, and evolution remains a crucial reference for future generations. Having devoted her life to Turkish language and literature, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Korkmaz has left a permanent mark in the field of Turkology.
Notable Works
Throughout her career, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Korkmaz authored numerous books and articles, including:
- Bartın ve Yöresi Ağızları
- Dil Bilgisi Terimleri Sözlüğü
- Gramer Terimleri Sözlüğü
- Güney-Batı Anadolu Ağızları
- Nevşehir ve Yöresi Ağızları
- Türk Dili Üzerine Araştırmalar -1, 2, 3, 4
- Türk Dili ve Kompozisyon
- Türkçede Eklerin Kullanılış Şekilleri ve Ek Kalıplaşması Olayları
- Türkiye Türkçesi Grameri Şekil Bilgisi
- Türkiye Türkçesinin Temeli Oğuz Türkçesinin Gelişimi
- Nutuk
