In this article, we’ll introduce you to an interesting Turkish idiom: “Fransız kalmak.” This idiom (deyim) is particularly useful for beginners, as it means “to not understand anything about something.” To help you incorporate “Fransız kalmak” into your daily conversations, we’ll clearly explain its meaning and explore its historical origins.
Meaning of “Fransız kalmak”
The Turkish idiom “Fransız kalmak” translates literally to “to remain French.” However, the figurative meaning of this phrase is quite different. It is used to express confusion, a lack of understanding, or ignorance regarding a certain situation or topic. When someone says “Fransız kaldım,” they’re essentially saying: “I’m completely lost,” or “I have no clue what’s going on.”
In daily usage, this idiom is quite common. For example, if you find yourself in a conversation about a complicated topic you know little about, you might say, “Bu konuda tamamen Fransız kaldım,” meaning “I’m totally lost about this subject.” If you just started learning Turkish and have no clue what people say to you, just reply “Affedersiniz, Fransız kaldım!” (Sorry, I don’t understand anything!). At least, that will make them laugh!
Origin of “Fransız kalmak”
To better understand the meaning of “Fransız kalmak”, let’s analyse its origin. There are several theories attempt to explain the origin of this idiom:
- Theory 1: An explanation suggests the idiom emerged from the Ottoman Empire era, where the elite often spoke fluent French but struggled with Turkish, leading to frequent misunderstandings of local speech and customs. This disconnect between the elite and ordinary people gave rise to the idiomatic usage. It symbolizes the lack of comprehension by the elite, “remaining French” and unable to communicate with locals.
- Theory 2: Another related historical theory attributes the idiom to events around World War I, specifically during the occupation of Turkey by Allied forces, including French troops. These soldiers typically lacked proficiency in Turkish and had difficulties understanding local customs and conversations. This evident communication barrier led Turkish people to adopt the phrase “Fransız kalmak” to denote situations of confusion or misunderstanding.
- Theory 3: Last but not least, for the blogger Ebru Akin, the idiom “fransiz kalmak” was developed by Hikmet Kıvılcımlı, one of the leaders of the Turkish socialist movement. She says: “In the 1970s, during intense discussions around socialism in Turkey, Dr. Kılvılcımlı often spoke of Marxism by referencing Marx’s three sources: British political economy, French socialism, and German philosophy. He criticized leftist circles that did not understand the theory and neglected it, using the expression “speaking French”. His students, members of Dev-Genç (Revolutionary Youth) adapted this phrase, creating “Fransız olmak” or “Fransız kalmak” to mean “not knowing a topic theoretically.” Over time, the expression became common in everyday language, slightly shifting in meaning but retaining its essence of confusion or ignorance.”
You can now use “Fransız kalmak” whenever you don’t understand something in Turkish! It’ll give your friends a good laugh and make you even more likable to Turkish people. It’s also a great way to break the ice when trying to speak Turkish.
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