Lullabies are special songs sung by mothers to their babies across different cultures around the world. They serve as the first form of verbal communication between mother and infant in various societies and languages. These songs not only help soothe babies but also enable mothers to express their feelings of love and attachment. Lullabies play a crucial role in introducing language to infants. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of Turkish and English lullabies. In line with this aim, while examining the etymology of lullabies as an important product of oral tradition, examples from both Turkish and English lullabies are presented. This analysis helps us better understand the emotional, cultural, and linguistic elements embedded in lullabies from these two different cultures. For this purpose, both national and international literature have been reviewed, English lullabies have been translated into Turkish, and cultural explanations related to lullabies have been provided.
Lullaby, oral tradition, comparative analysis, children’s literature.