Train Geldi Boş Dedin

Cross-Cultural Soundscapes: Istanbul Train Ride

click on the picture to watch it on youtube

SONGLINE: Tren Gelir Hoş Gelir

YER: Istanbul Train

★ rem, australian vowel harmony, vowel discordance

0020 tren geldi | 1:09 | 9 Dec 2020

Our family once had a train adventure in Istanbul that still cracks us up. The trains were so packed it was like sardines. We spotted one carriage that was partially empty and thought we’d hit the jackpot. As we settled in, we quickly realised why no one else was sitting there. It was because someone had parked a turd and the smell was awful. As the train stopped at every station, the same thing happened to everyone else who boarded the carriage.

Inspired by this unforgettable moment, I tried to create a song based on the old Turkic folk classic «Tren Gelir Hoş Gelir» (the train comes, it’s welcome`ing). I mixed in Australian vowel harmonies, which turned out ghastly, but it was surprising to see how the vowel harmonies sit in English. I’m curious if this blend of sounds could help others experience what it’s like for me to process sound through Turkic landscapes. It’s a bit like hearing familiar sounds that almost feel like home but don’t quite make sense all the time. I’d love to see how other speakers with both Australian-Turkish or even US/UK backgrounds tackle English harmonies, as they’d be blending not only the English tones they grew up with but also hints of their Turkish heritage, which could influence how they perceive and use these sounds. It would've been fun to see what that could've looked like through other languages as well. If there was a magic genie, that could make a wish come true - yeah, this ★ would've been a fun project to tackle at skooooool. Make it so, Moomzie! TA!

~ My Name Is Ayça, get used to it

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