The game "Sozzle," added to the innovative language learning efforts of Pamukkale University (PAU) Department of Contemporary Turkish Dialects and Literatures (ÇTLE) website, stands out as both an entertaining and educational tool. This game aims to expand vocabulary and improve language skills by inviting users to derive meaningful words from stacks of jumbled letters. The PAU ÇTLE site, which previously garnered attention with games like Hangman (Adam Asmaca) and Feza X, continues its mission by transforming language learning into an interactive experience with Sozzle. The game is directly related to the English meaning of the word "sozzle"—"disorder" or "jumbled heap"—while also appearing to be a blend of the Turkish word "söz" (word) and the English "puzzle," echoing popular games like Wordle and Scrabble.
💡 General Features and Structure of the Game
Sozzle is designed as an innovative variation of classic "word connect" games. Users are presented with jumbled letters and are expected to form words that correspond to the given meanings. This approach deepens learning by testing not only letter combination but also word meanings. In the Ottoman Turkish and Arabic versions of the game, options for meaning and spelling assistance have been added to help beginners reinforce correct spelling and pronunciation. The game increases accessibility by making the learning process gradual:
Level Structure: It starts with words of up to 3 letters in the 1st level. The length of the longest word increases by 1 letter every two levels, reaching 8-letter words in the final level.
Hints and Support: Users are given 1 hint every two levels; this hint fully reveals one word, facilitating progression.
Language Diversity: The game can be played in 9 different dialects and languages: Azerbaijani Turkish, Kazakh Turkish, Kyrgyz Turkish, Uzbek Turkish, Turkmen Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Russian, English, and Arabic. This wide range covers not only students of Turkic languages but anyone learning a foreign language.
Thanks to these features, Sozzle distinguishes itself from traditional language learning methods by prioritizing fun and naturally enriching vocabulary.
🌉 Significance of the Game for the Turkic World
Sozzle carries great potential, particularly in the context of the Turkic World. The Turkic World refers to a vast cultural geography covering countries like Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan; the dialects spoken in these regions stem from a common Turkic language root but have differentiated over time. By directly supporting these dialects, the game gains importance in the following aspects:
Promoting Language Unity: While linguistic diversity in the Turkic World is a cultural richness, it may have communication barriers. Sozzle brings these dialects together on a fun platform, enabling users to explore each other's languages. For instance, a Turkish player learning Kazakh Turkish words strengthens cultural ties with sister nations in Central Asia. This aligns with the language unity goals of organizations like the Turkic Council (Organization of Turkic States) and reinforces a shared "Turkic language family" consciousness.
Preservation and Dissemination of Cultural Heritage: The inclusion of Ottoman Turkish gives the game a historical dimension. As the ancestor of modern Turkish, Ottoman Turkish represents the shared past of the Turkic World. By presenting Ottoman Turkish words along with their meanings, the game transmits cultural heritage to younger generations. Similarly, by teaching folkloric, literary, and everyday words through other Turkic dialects, it revives expressions that are fading from use. This parallels UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage efforts; for example, cultural values are preserved through traditional concepts in Kazakh or Kyrgyz Turkish (words themed around nature, family, and society).
Education and Accessibility: Academic institutions like PAU ÇTLE are important centers for language education in the Turkic World. Sozzle serves as a practical tool for university students (e.g., in Contemporary Turkic Dialects and Literature departments) while offering free access to the general public. In the post-pandemic digital education trend, such games encourage remote learning. A mobile-compatible game makes language learning attractive for the young population in the Turkic World (e.g., 60% of youth in Kazakhstan are under 30). Furthermore, the addition of neighboring languages like Russian and Arabic reflects the Turkic World's interaction with Eurasia and the Middle East; for example, comparative learning of these languages is beneficial in the post-Soviet Turkic republics where Russian influence remains.
Global Promotion of Turkic Languages: The inclusion of English makes the game international, promoting Turkic dialects worldwide. This enhances the soft power of the Turkic World; for instance, an American player becoming familiar with Turkic words contributes to cultural diplomacy. The game supports the survival of Turkic languages in a world where linguistic diversity is diminishing (according to UNESCO, a language is lost every two weeks).
Overall, Sozzle positions the Turkic World as a "language bridge": it fosters a sense of unity by highlighting similarities between dialects, reflects cultural diversity, and assumes an innovative role in education. This offers a practical solution to the common issues facing the Turkic World (language policies, educational inequality).
📜 License Information and Derivative Works
As stated on the game page, Sozzle is published under the CC-BY-NC license. This license means that the game's resources can be used for derivative works with attribution (citing PAU ÇTLE as the source) and for non-commercial purposes. For example, educators can adapt the game to integrate into their own teaching materials, add new levels, or expand it to different languages and dialects – but these derivatives cannot be sold or used for profit. This open license approach paves the way for wider dissemination and collaborative development of the game in the Turkic World; for instance, a Kazakh university could enrich the game with local vocabulary.
In conclusion, the PAU ÇTLE's Sozzle game adds structure and fun to language learning, while serving as a cultural and educational bridge, especially for the Turkic World. An ideal resource for anyone looking to expand their vocabulary, this game invites you to play! If you would like more details or access to the game, you can visit the PAU ÇTLE website: Sozzle
