i just have to say this though: "language" does not make one modern, it's everything else that does. ataturk destroyed a part of turkish culture. i am not an expert, so take this as one person's opinions.
but do note:
Script in use in China: Chinese. Economy size: 2nd.
Script in use in Japan: Chinese and Japanese. Economy size: 3rd
Script in use in Nigeria: Western (English). Economy size: something like 50.
My dear chinese friend, I don't believe I said it was because of the language, i applaud the achievement of China, but you have more than 1 billion people and a lot of your own troubles. uighurs, poverty level and such outside of the suburbs. I have been around mainland china in 2006 from Beijing to Kunming and then to Quanzou, by train and airplane. Beautiful country and I hope you can do even better.
However my point was that, The republics founding father had a plan of how to achive modernization, and he went with it. He forced the people to adapt to new things at the cost of abandonning the old. But that can never truly be done, because of our origin, roots.
If you want to see how ridiculus some kemalists has taken advantage of it, just try drawing something on the picture of the founding father, you'll be arrested for it. However do pay attention to that his image is on every coin and bill in Turkey, people crumble it, tear it apart and they can even draw on it without anything happening.
Some laws are taken too far in my opinion. If you ask me, our founding fathers legacy should be in our hearts and minds and not only put on coin and bills. His legacy lives through the succcess of every turk who draws breath and studies and works for a better Turkey.
I'd like to make my closure with:
"Türküm, Dogruyum, Caliskanim, Efendiyim"
Ilkem; kücüklerimi korumak, büyüklerimi saymak, yurdumu, milletimi ozumden cok sevmektir.
Ülküm; yükselmek, ileri gitmektir.
Ey Büyük Türkiye! Baska Buyuk yok.
Actigin yolda, gösterdigin hedefe durmadan yürüyecegime ant içerim.
Varligim Türk varligina armagan olsun.
Ne mutlu Türküm diyene!"