KURDISH PEOPLE IN TURKEY

Kurdish: As a Prohibited Language in Turkey



Kurdish: As a Prohibited Language in Turkey

Introduction

Kurdish people are the Iranian people and are said to be a minority group which had the greatest impact on the Turkish government. They led a perception that they have been the only minority that poses a threat to the Turkish unity.

Kurdish under Discrimination

Today, the Kurds of Turkey remain victims of discrimination and oppression but not nearly on the scale endured in Iraq or Iran. The most obvious act of discrimination arises from the failure to reinstate tens of thousands of stateless Kurds with citizenship. As in Turkey, Kurdish has never been recognized as an official language and from 1986 its use was forbidden in the workplaces. In 1988 another decree reportedly prohibited the singing of non-Arabic songs at weddings and festivals. That such measures are not fully observed is evident in the renewed attempts to prohibit Kurdish in 1989, and again in 1996. Kurds are unable to study, publish, speak officially or write in Kurdish. Since 1958 Kurds have not been allowed to publish materials in Kurdish and therefore find pay exorbitant sums to printers to produce materials clandestinely. Books are printed in Beirut and then imported and distributed in Turkey. In Kurdish region the intention is clearly to expunge Kurdish names. During the 1970's many village and town names were changed. The effort to expunge Kurdish place names continues apparently unabated.There is a growing recognition that only through education, will the Kurdish community gains economic or political strength. In August 1998 the formation of a new party was announced rendering other Kurdish parties 'unnecessary' under the reported leadership. In October 1998 all the movements came to a dramatic end when Turkey suddenly concentrated troops along the border and threatened military intervention. (Susan, 1997)

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