Did you know that…
Around the world there are over 50 different languages that use the medium of whistling to communicate.
In Turkey, “kuş dili” is traditionally used by farmers from the northern village of Kuşköy to communicate over large distances by using whistles and melodies to express the Turkish language. Since 1997, the area has celebrated a ‘bird language’ festival, and since 2017, it’s been recognised by UNESCO as a unique example of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Today, the language is in rapid decline because of the ubiquity of cell phones, but local people are trying to keep it alive, and even teaching it in primary schools.
Check out this great TRT video to learn more (or at least to hear more) about Kuş dili here
