KuRDISH (Kurdi) Language

Map of Kurdish Speaking regions (Click to enlarge)

Kurdish (also Kurdi and Kordi) is members of the northwestern subdivision of the Iranic branch of Indo-European family of languages in the world.

Kurdish is closely related to Balochi, Gileki and Talysh, all of which belong to the north-western branch of Iranian languages. Persian which belongs to the south-western branch, is also considered a related language. (see the table below)

The Kurdish dialects divide into three primaries groups: 

1) the "Northern Kurdish" dialects group also called Kurmanji and Badinani, 

2) "Central Kurdish" dialects group also called Sorani and 

3) the "Southern Kurdish" dialects group also called Pehlewani or "Pahlawânik" group.  

There is no standard nomenclature for the divisions of Kurdish dialects, not just in the works of Western scholars but among the Kurds themselves. All the native designators for local language and dialects are based on the way the spoken language of one group sounds to the unfamiliar ears of the other. Dimila and their vernacular, Dimili, are therefore called Zâzâ by the Badinani speakers, with reference to the preponderance of Z sounds in their language (Nikitin 1926).

The Dimila call the Badinani dialect and its speakers Xerewere. The Gorans refer to the Sorani as Kurkure and Wawa. The Sorani speakers in turn call the Gorans and their vernacular, Gorani, Mecú Mecú, and refer to the tongue and the speakers of Badinani as Ji Babu.

A Comparison study between Zazaki, Kurdish, New-Persian, Middle-Persian (Pahlavi), English and German

Top of Page