. The Impact of the Turkish Language on the Integration of Syrian Refugees: Perceptions, Lived Experiences, and Implications for Conflict Management

The Syrian refugee crisis has emerged as a significant issue in Turkish politics since the onset of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, leading Turkey to host the largest refugee population in the world. This influx has created both domestic and international challenges, particularly in areas such as security, housing, healthcare, education, and economic integration. For any group to thrive in a new society, successful integration is essential, making the issue of Syrian integration a focal point in Turkish discourse.(Osman Zeki Gökçe & Emre Hatipoglu) This master’s thesis examines the role that Turkish language plays in Syrian refugee integration, with a focus on the availability of Turkish language programs. The study focuses on the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of this process. (Lundun)The study identifies the barriers faced by Syrian refugees in integrating into Turkish society and investigates the role of language acquisition in alleviating these challenges. The research was conducted from March to June 2024 with 15 semi-structured interviews with Syrians who were granted temporary protection status. The results revealed that while Turkey lacks a clear system of language integration, such as European countries like Germany or Sweden, language programs were useful in integrating Syrians. While each individual’s perception of integration differed, they all universally cited a worsening perception of Syrians and anti-Syrian sentiment in the country. All respondents emphasized the increasing anti-Syrian sentiment in Turkey over recent years, attributing it primarily to negative media portrayals and the deteriorating economic situation. More interaction and understanding between the groups were believed to be keys in lifting barriers and social stigmatisation between the two groups; all, but one respondent, believed language was the key to this. This research highlights the critical role of language programs in facilitating language acquisition, fostering successful integration, and addressing the barriers faced by Syrian refugees. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of language programs to improve the integration process in Turkey.