What do kurds speak

These Kurdish language or dialects share a history of resilience in the face of imposed change. Kurds make up the majority of the population in these areas that are divided between Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and a few smaller countries.

Kurdistan can also refer to the autonomous republic in Iraq. Although Kurds share the same ethnic identity, the languages they speak, though closely related, are not mutually intelligible. Kurmanji Kurdish is typically written using an adapted Latin-based script not dissimilar to the Turkish alphabet. The Kurdish Academy of Language KAL believes that a unified Kurdistan can exist only in the context of a unified Kurdish language and that a unified writing system is its prerequisite.

For this reason, Kurdish linguists have created a new alphabet called Yekgirtu which means unified. It is a slight variation of the Latin-based script typically used for Kurmanji, though its adjustments are aimed to simplify and better accommodate the phonology of all Kurdish dialects. It was even proposed that Central Kurdish be the official language of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq, something which was met with great resistance from Kurmanji speakers.

Kurmanji, or Northern Kurdish, is more widely spoken but may be less standardized. It is also the ceremonial language of Yazidism, a religion practiced by Kurds, especially in Iraq. However, recent events have led to a mass exodus of Yazidis. Kurdish grammar has many unusual features. Kurmanji, for instance, is an SOV language.

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International Languages. Iroquoian Language Family. Khoisan Language Family. Language Isolates. The second most used language in Kurdistan would be Arabic. Although Kurdish is the official language plenty of people in the bigger cities of Kurdistan such as Erbil and Sulaymaniyah will be able to understand basic English — especially the younger generation.

The Kurds are notorious for their hospitality, especially for foreign guests, so the locals will make every effort to make you feel as welcome as possible by communicating in a language you can both understand. However, outside of the main cities, you might find it a struggle to find any English at all. As with visiting any foreign country, the locals will always appreciate tourists making an effort to try and learn some basic phrases in the local language, so let us take a look at some basic useful phrases in the Kurdish language that will help you impress the locals and help you get around Kurdistan.

Good bye — Bi xatire te Pleased to meet you — Ez kefxwesh bum. Thank you — Spas One beer, please — Yek bira, Je kerema xwe.

My name is — Nave min… Cheers! Good Health! See author's posts. Languages of Iraqi Kurdistan. Central Kurdish is spoken by an estimated 6 to 7 million Kurds in much of Iraqi Kurdistan. About Post Author. Instagram YPT's Eurasia tour group standing on top of a gian.

One of our favorite stops in Pyongyang is the Juch. A North Korean waitress performs the classic song. A stewardess awaits passengers boarding a Air Kory.