A Name Between Two Languages and Cultures: Şemsettin Sami

Abstract

Şemsettin Sami (1850-1904) was of Albanian origin and lived most of his life in
Istanbul as a civil servant of the Ottoman Empire. He carried out important activities
regarding two languages and cultures with his scientific studies during his lifetime.
Şemsettin Sami, a great writer, has a versatile intellectual identity such as a linguist,
playwright and journalist. Although one hundred twenty years have passed since his
death in 1904, the value of his works remains significant. Thanks to the magnitude of
his work, he became a scientist who both Albanology and Turkology writers felt closer
and embraced. However, studies about him in the Albanian academy mostly focus on his
contributions to the Albanian language and culture. In the Turkish academy, the focus
is on his contributions to the Turkish language and culture. For this reason, most of the
studies on him, one side of his activities is high lighted, while the other side is generally
neglected. It is necessary to look at the works of this great writer in a holistic manner
and to examine the historical, political and sociological structure of period in which his
works are discussed. For this purpose, the study aims to focus on the Works and activities
of Şemsettin Sami in Albanian and Turkish in a holistic manner. Thus, Şemsettin Sami’s
contributions to both Albanian language and culture and Turkish language and culture
were examined.