This study aims to examine a 17th-century compilation of proverbs and idioms found in the manuscript numbered Diez A. Fol. 25 at the Berlin Library within the context of teaching Turkish as a foreign language. In addition, it seeks to present a 17th-century compilation found in a manuscript preserved in the Berlin State Library as a resource for the use of proverbs and idioms in the context of cultural transmission in teaching Turkish as a foreign language. The study also intends to introduce this lexical heritage from the period to scholars and researchers working in the field. Similar to the cultural elements such as greetings, holiday celebrations, hospitality, customs, regional dishes, and traditional clothing/items that are conveyed in Turkish as a foreign language course, the transmission of oral culture is also emphasized. It is expected that the expressions compiled from an unstudied source of the 17th century will contribute to the corpus of proverbs and idioms which are recognised as one of the most significant components of our rich oral heritage and provide instructors with a different perspective. Language is not merely a means of communication but also a cultural structure that reflects the historical and value-based heritage of societies. In this regard, proverbs and idioms function as oral cultural elements that not only enrich linguistic expression but also serve as means of cultural transmission. In the study, it was determined that out of 275 language units in the compilation, 270 were proverbs and 5 were idioms. The findings reveal that proverbs were used more prevalently than idioms in historical texts and played a primary role in the transfer of cultural memory. Despite their smaller number, idioms also reflected the vitality of everyday language and the richness of folk expression. As a result, it was concluded that in teaching Turkish as a foreign language, proverbs and idioms should be systematically and functionally incorporated into educational programs. Integrating these oral culture products into language teaching materials contributes to enhancing both the linguistic and cultural competence of learners.
Cultural transmission, idioms, oral culture, proverbs, teaching Turkish as a foreign language