KURDISH LANGUAGE Meaning and
Definition
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The Kurdish language refers to an Indo-European language primarily spoken by the Kurdish people, an ethnic group primarily residing in the Middle East, specifically in regions spanning southeastern Turkey, northern Syria, northwestern Iran, and northern Iraq. With approximately 40 million speakers worldwide, Kurdish holds official status in Iraq and has recognized minority language status in Iran, Syria, and Turkey.
Linguistically, Kurdish can be classified into three main dialect groups: Kurmanji, Sorani, and Pehlewani. Kurmanji, spoken by the vast majority of Kurds, is the most widely spoken dialect. Sorani is the second most spoken dialect and is recognized as the official language of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Pehlewani, less commonly spoken, is mainly found in the western parts of Iran.
The Kurdish language itself features numerous dialectical variations across regions, with variations in accent, vocabulary, and grammar. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Iranian languages like Median and Old Persian, with influences from Arabic, Ottoman Turkish, and other neighboring languages. Kurdish uses the adapted Persian-Arabic script, known as the Kurdish alphabet, which consists of 33 letters.
The preservation and promotion of the Kurdish language have been significant aspects of Kurdish cultural identity and national aspirations. Despite historic challenges, Kurdish language activism and efforts to establish educational institutions in Kurdish have persisted, supporting the language's survival and growth.
Etymology of KURDISH LANGUAGE
The word "Kurdish" is derived from the name of the ethnic group who predominantly speak the language, known as the Kurds. The origin of the term "Kurd" is unclear, and there are various theories. One possibility is that the term is derived from the Old Iranian word "Kurti", which means "nomad" or "warrior". Another theory suggests it may come from the Middle Persian word "Kōrt", meaning "brave" or "hardworking". However, the exact etymology of the word "Kurd" remains uncertain.
