Kurmanji

Kurmanji, or Kurmancî, is the largest variety of the Kurdish language. It belongs to the Northwestern Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian language family and is commonly called Northern Kurdish. It is the most widely spoken Kurdish dialect, with millions of speakers in Turkey, Syria, northern Iraq, and western Iran, as well as communities in Armenia, Georgia, the Caucasus, and a large diaspora in Europe.

Geographic distribution and dialects: Kurmanji is native to the eastern Anatolian and northern Mesopotamian regions, but it has many regional varieties. Northern Kurmanji is spoken across Turkey and Syria; Southern Kurmanji is found in parts of Iraq and Iran. Dialects differ in phonology and vocabulary but remain mutually intelligible to many speakers, aiding cross-dialect communication in Kurdish communities.

Writing system and standardization: Kurmanji is written in multiple scripts. A Latin-based alphabet is widely used in Turkey and Syria and in Kurdish media; this orthography was developed in the 20th century and is associated with the Kurdish literary movement. In Iran and parts of Iraq, Kurmanji is written with a Perso-Arabic script. Historical use of Arabic script persists in some communities, while diaspora communities often use the Latin alphabet.

Linguistic and cultural role: Kurmanji serves as a vehicle for literature, music, media, and education in Kurdish communities. It coexists with Sorani in the Kurdish-speaking world, with ongoing efforts to promote bilingual education and cross-dialect standardization for pan-Kurdish contexts.