SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This work comprises a survey of the Kurdish dialects spoken in the following northern areas, or by the following tribes of present-day Iraq: Sulaimaniya, Warmawa, Bingird, Pizdar, Arbil, Rawandiz, Xosnaw, Surcir, Akra, Amadiya, Barwari-zor, Gulli, and Zakho. With the sole exception of Sulaimani Kurdish none of these dialects has previously been described individually. A descriptive sketch of the Phonology, Morphology and Syntax of the dialects is therefore given, based on the evidence of the lingusitic material recorded by the writer in 1954-5. Where appropriate, reference is also made to other descriptions of Kurdish dialects, particularly that of the Mukri dialect by Oskar Mann. Certain phonetic and morphological features distinguishing the various dialects are then summarized and on the basis of this summary a division of the dialects into main, viz. Northern and Central, and subsidiary groups is suggested.