Karamanlidika

Along with the terms ‘Karamanli texts’ or ‘Karamanli literature’, Karamanlidika conventionally refers to Turkish texts written in Greek characters, produced by and for the Turkophone Christian communities in Asia Minor, primarily for religious purpose. During the centuries of its existence (1718–1920s) it evolved into an extensive literature including also many non-religious topics. The first printed book of this kind was published in 1718, however Karamanlidika texts occur also in manuscript form. The bulk of the Karamanlidika book pr0duction consists of religious texts, such as prayer books, lives of saints, or liturgical books, while in the 19th century the production of non-religious texts gains significance. The texts are interesting sources also in relation to linguistic studies (language contact, re-graphization, and Turkish dialectology).