Turkish Language Association (TDK) defines ‘available’ as ‘Woman who is ready to flirt’

The Turkish Language Association's (TDK) definition of 'available' in its official dictionary has been criticized by women all around Turkey for suggesting that it means 'One who is ready to flirt, who can flirt easily (woman).'

Many women who have reacted to the sexist statement on social media have demanded that it be removed as soon as possible.

A feminist group, called 'Istanbul Feminist Kolektif', asked on their facebook account: "Why is it 'woman' written in parenthesis? Can men not also be 'available'?"

There is now a campaign on the leading social platform Campaign.org for the definition of 'available' on TDK's dictionary be revised. The campaign says that flirting is an act done mutually, and that both women and men can possess the nature of flirting easily. The campaign's statement said further: "The Turkish Language Association displays a sexist attitude with the parenthesis including the word of woman, and serves patriarchy that constitutes the basis of violence and discrimination against woman."

TDK's definition is also prevalent in its printed dictionary.

The Language Association's President, Mustafa Kaçalın, answered reporters' questions on Wednesday about the wide scale criticism the definition of 'available' has attracted. He responded that the definition of 'available' was put in the official dictionary in 1983 and the Association will take people's recent reaction into consideration, and may revise the definition.

He said, "Everyone can warn [us], and we would correct it [definition]."

The Turkish Language Association (TDK) is the official regulatory body of the Turkish language. The association acts as the official authority on the language, contributes to linguistic research on Turkish and other Turkic languages, and is charged with publishing the official dictionary of the language.