Arshak Barafi: Recognizing Kurdish as official language in constitution is fundamental demand

In light of the increasing demands for the recognition of cultural and national rights in the new Syria, calls continue for the recognition of the Kurdish language as an official language to ensure its official presence in state institutions, education, and public life. This comes amid assurances that the current measures, including Decree No. 13, do not reach the level of true recognition or guaranty the linguistic rights of the Kurds.

In this context, Kurdish language and literature researcher Arshak Barafi spoke to our agency, pointing out that the Rojava Revolution and its struggle have brought about a qualitative leap and development in Kurdish cultural work and literature, with the establishment of schools, institutions, institutes, universities, and even academies.

He added, "Yes, this is the first time in many years that the regime acknowledges repression and prohibition, but that is not enough. The Kurdish language must become an official language in the Syrian constitution, so decree number (13) did not grant a real right."

Barafi saw that the progress of the integration path is contingent upon accepting the other and building a shared life between Kurds and Arabs.

Teaching Kurdish and Arabic side by side

Barafi emphasized during his speech the necessity for the mechanism of teaching the Kurdish language to be fundamental at all educational stages, including institutes and universities, and standardized in Kurdish regions, while keeping the Arabic language present alongside it. And in other regions, Arabic should be the official language, with Kurdish taught as a second language.

Barafi pointed out that the language, which had been banned for decades, must be updated and developed to keep pace with the demands of the modern era. He added, "Students and children who studied in Kurdish during the years of the revolution should be given the opportunity to obtain their degrees and work with them."

The constitution is the only guaranty for protecting the language.

Arshak Baravi emphasized that protecting the language can only be achieved by enshrining it in constitutional law, saying: "We can reach agreements in all areas, but the issue of language is non-negotiable, so language, culture, folklore, and literature must be practically implemented in reality."

Barafi recalled the previous regime's chauvinistic policies, saying it Arabized 99 villages in the Amuda region and changed their demographics. These policies are being repeated today, so officially recognizing the language would resolve all past and present disputes.

Arshak Barafi concluded his speech by saying: "We hope this rapprochement succeeds and that we maintain our gains. What I have carried since the 1980s in developing my language and teaching thousands of students is to preserve the sacrifices of the martyrs and protect our identity."

Arshak Barafi is a Kurdish poet and linguist, born in 1963 in the city of Amuda. He is considered one of the foremost scholars in documenting the history of the Kurdish people, with decades of research in Kurdish grammar. He has authored a Kurdish-Arabic dictionary and a vocabulary lexicon, and has numerous studies in Kurdish literature.

ANHA