Flyting versus Karşılaşma: A Comparative Study of Verbal Duelling as a Form of Poetic Competition

This study compares two traditions of verbal duelling: flyting in Scotland and karşılaşma in Türkiye. Both forms of poetic competition use insults and ridicule to entertain, while displaying the poet’s wit and cultural knowledge. Flyting is characterized by direct insults, while karşılaşma uses indirect, literary language. Despite stylistic differences, these traditions share similar purposes and motivations such as asserting poetic authority, displaying linguistic skill, and reflecting societal values. This article highlights the importance of these traditions in reflecting different cultural values and practices across different contexts.