Kurdish is one of the ancient branches of the Indo-European language family. Spoken by tens of millions as a mother tongue, it resonates across the vast landscapes of the Middle East, known as Greater Kurdistan.

Kurdish is more than just a language; it is a vessel of a rich culture, a turbulent yet proud history, and a resilient identity that has withstood decades of suppression and assimilationist policies. The intellectual depth of the Kurdish language shines through its literary heritage, adorned by figures such as Ehmedê Xanî, Melayê Cizîrî, Nalî, Hêmin, and Sherko Bekas.

Oral traditions, proverbs, folk music, and epic storytelling form inseparable pillars of Kurdish cultural heritage.

Despite its rich tapestry of dialects such as Sorani, Kurmanji, Laki, Kalhori, and Hawrami, the Kurdish language has preserved its cohesion and unity. The Sorani dialect, predominantly spoken in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Iranian Kurdistan, benefits from a well-developed writing system. With its 35 letters, it offers remarkable capacity to capture the nuances of Kurdish sounds and vocabulary with precision.

Today, the Kurdish language plays a vital role in rebuilding and strengthening the national and cultural identity of the Kurdish people. The expansion of Kurdish-language education in schools, the growing presence of Kurdish media, and the rise of scientific and literary works in Kurdish reflect its path toward solidifying its place as one of the region’s influential languages.

Kurdish is not only the voice of a nation, but also the echo of hope, resilience, and the dreams of a people who have kept the flame of their identity alive amid the storms of history.