Kurdish language

Old Kurdish alphabet

Road sign double toponyms Amed DSC00179

Kurdish language is a Northwestern Iranian language spoken primarily in the region known as Kurdistan, which spans southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, and northern Syria. It is an official language in Iraq and has a significant number of speakers in Iran, Turkey, Syria, and the Kurdish diaspora worldwide. Kurdish is divided into three main dialect groups: Kurmanji, Sorani, and Pehlewani, with Kurmanji and Sorani being the most widely used in written and formal contexts.

History

The Kurdish language has a rich oral tradition, with its written literature dating back to the 7th century. The earliest Kurdish texts are primarily found in the Gorani language, which is now considered a sub-dialect or closely related language used in Kurdish Sufi literature. The development of the Kurdish language was significantly influenced by the Islamic conquests of the 7th century, which introduced Arabic script to the region. Over the centuries, Kurdish developed into a distinct language, despite facing numerous challenges, including restrictions on its use and teaching in various countries.

Dialects

Kurdish is divided into three major dialect groups, which are not mutually intelligible:

• Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish) is spoken in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran by the majority of Kurds.
• Sorani (Central Kurdish) is primarily spoken in Iraq and Iran and uses the Sorani alphabet, a form of the Perso-Arabic script.
• Pehlewani (Southern Kurdish) includes several dialects spoken in parts of Iran and Iraq.

Each dialect group has its own variations and sub-dialects, reflecting the diverse and complex nature of Kurdish identity and culture.

Writing Systems

The Kurdish language uses several writing systems. Kurmanji is predominantly written in the Latin script, while Sorani is written in a modified Perso-Arabic script. The choice of writing system is often influenced by political, social, and cultural factors, as well as the region in which the speakers live.

Language and Identity

Language plays a crucial role in Kurdish identity and nationalism. The struggle for linguistic rights has been a central aspect of the Kurdish political movement, particularly in Turkey and Syria, where the use of Kurdish has been restricted at various times. Efforts to standardize the Kurdish language and promote it in education and media have been ongoing, with varying degrees of success across different regions.

Contemporary Issues

Today, the Kurdish language faces challenges such as digital inclusion, preservation of dialects, and standardization. While there are efforts to include Kurdish in educational systems and media, it remains underrepresented in digital platforms and technologies. The diaspora and globalization present both opportunities and challenges for the preservation and development of Kurdish.

See Also

• Kurdistan
• Kurdish literature
• Languages of Iran
• Languages of Turkey
• Languages of Iraq
• Languages of Syria