Is Kurdish Endangered in Turkey? A Comparison between the Politics of Linguicide in Ireland and Turkey

By Dylan O’Driscoll

Volume 14, Issue 2, pages 270-288

Abstract

This article examines the historical process of the demise of Gaelic in Ireland due to the policies developed by England, and compares this to the process Kurdish is currently undergoing in Turkey. This comparison accentuates the threat that Kurdish is facing and demonstrates that the language is in danger of being eradicated. Through highlighting the similarities in the policies used by both England and Turkey to eradicate ethnic threats through assimilation, and the speed in which this process is happening in Turkey, this article determines that Kurdish has reached an important stage and that the actions over the next few decades will decide its future.

Read the full article here.