EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo- In an interview with NuJINHA, Kurdish Language Institute Co-chair Viyan Hesen, one of the writers of “Rêzimanê Kurmancî”, a grammar book in Kurmanji dialect of the Kurdish language, talked about the book.

 Before the revolution in North and East Syria, the Kurdish language was banned and it was taught secretly. After the revolution, people were encouraged to learn the Kurdish language. “Now, Kurdish children speak their own mother language. It has been taught in schools for 12 years,” said Viyan Hesen.

It comprises six chapters

“Rêzimanê Kurmancî” comprises chapters. Speaking about the chapters of the book, Viyan Hesen said, “Six chapters include grammar and spelling rules. In the writing chapter, we tried to include the issues that have been discussed for two or three years. The book also includes topics such as phonetics, morphology, poetry, spelling and punctuation.”

The book also includes a list of terms in five Kurdish dialects, Kurmanji, Zazaki (Kirmanckî), Sorani, Gorani and Pahlewani. “We prepared the list to bring all dialects together. In addition, we wanted to form a unity among the dialects.”

‘We waited for months to receive the reference books’

Pointing to the challenges faced by them while writing the book, she said, “There were not many reference books that we could accredit. Sometimes, we waited for months to receive the reference books. In addition, the current war conditions in North and East Syria delayed the publication of the book. Many times, we stopped working because of the Turkish attacks on the region both during the preparation and publication of the book.”

‘It will serve next generations’

Viyan Hesen has been teaching Kurdish language in North and East Syria for 12 years. She has also held seminars on the Kurdish language. Writing a Kurdish grammar book is her first experience. “Being a writer at a young age was an important experience for me. Being one of the writers of the book is a pleasure for me. This book is a product of the revolution in North and East Syria. It will serve next generations.”