xv
Note on Pronunciation,
Transliteration, and
Spelling
The multiplicity of languages used in the Ottoman Empire and the varieties of spelling
that were adopted over centuries present a number of problems, making complete con-
sistency impossible. With a few exceptions, I have used the modern Turkish spelling
system. I have not, however, applied Turkish spellings and pronunciations to non-
Turkish words. Thus, sharif (Arabic) has not been spelled as şerif (Turkish) or shah
(Persian) as şah (Turkish).
c (Turkish) j (English)
ç (Turkish) ch (English)
ö (Turkish) ö (German)
ş (Turkish) sh (English)
ü (Turkish) ü (German)
