Kermanchi

Kermanchi (also spelled Kirmanji, Kurmanji, Kermâncî, or Kurmanji Kurdish) is the most widely spoken dialect of the Kurdish languages. It is primarily spoken in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and parts of Lebanon, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, as well as by diaspora communities in Europe and North America.

Kermanchi belongs to the Northwest Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family. It is characterized by a number of linguistic features that distinguish it from other Kurdish dialects, notably Sorani. These include differences in phonology, morphology, and syntax.

Kermanchi exhibits grammatical gender (masculine and feminine), which is reflected in noun declension and pronoun agreement. The verb system is complex, with tenses and aspects marked through a combination of prefixes, suffixes, and auxiliary verbs.

The literary tradition of Kermanchi is relatively limited compared to that of Sorani, but there is a growing body of written material, including poetry, prose, and scholarly works. There is no single standardized orthography for Kermanchi, and various writing systems based on the Latin alphabet are used.

The speakers of Kermanchi are predominantly Kurdish, and their language is an important part of their cultural identity. However, due to various political and historical factors, including language policies in the regions where it is spoken, the status and use of Kermanchi have been challenged in certain areas.