Understanding Belarus’ Name on Google Maps and Google Earth

Why is Belarus’ Turkish name Beyaz Rusya not showing up on Google Maps/Earth even after setting the apps alongside your entire phone to Turkish? This might be a question best directed to Google support.

I encountered some challenges switching Google apps to consistently display everything in Ukrainian. The process is complex and involves changing the language in more than one place. For the most up-to-date steps, I strongly advise reaching out to Google support.

The official name of Belarus in Turkish is actually Belarus. The current name Beyaz Rusya does not correctly reflect the real sound or meaning of the country's name. The accurate representation of country names is especially important, as it often involves listening to and respecting the preferences of the local residents.

This phenomenon is part of a broader trend towards naming countries, cities, and geographical points according to local residents' requests, particularly relevant for regions with historically colonial or occupied pasts. For instance, the term “Middle East” is often used based on a Eurocentric view, which may be seen as an imposed colonial or imperial perspective. Today, many journalists are moving away from the term “Middle East” and instead using phrases such as the “Arab region” or the “Semitic region”.

Default Language Settings: Google apps default to English when initiating searches or operations. However, when you create and save your own projects, you can use Turkish as the language of choice. This flexibility can be particularly useful when sharing your project content.

Proper Nouns and Transliteration: Proper nouns, such as the names of people and places, are typically not translated but may be transliterated or modified for easier pronunciation. For example, the official name of Belarus remains Belarus in all languages, and Rio-de-Janeiro remains Rio-de-Janeiro in most language systems. This practice ensures that the meaning and recognizability of these names are preserved.

Regarding the specific case of Google Maps and Earth, the app recognizes the official name of Belarus, Belarus, which might explain why the Turkish name Beyaz Rusya is not showing up. For the most accurate and contextually appropriate naming, it's always best to refer to official government documents and the inputs from the local residents themselves.

If you find that your Google apps are not displaying content in the desired language, it's recommended to consult the Google support team for the latest and most accurate information.