Writer Dilovanê Deştê: we must strengthen our struggle for mother tongue education

Education in the mother tongue meaning that every ethnic group speaks in its own language is a natural right. Meanwhile, the interim government attempts to distance all components and ethnic groups, especially the Kurds, from their language and culture.

After the agreement signed on January 29 between the Syrian Democratic Forces SDF and the Democratic Autonomous Administration DAA and the interim government in Syria, the issue of education in the mother tongue became one of the main points and axes of negotiations between the two parties. The Kurdish people in Syria have demanded, through numerous demonstrations and protests, that the Kurdish language be constitutionally recognized and made official at all educational stages and grades.

In this context, the Kurdish writer, member of the Kurdish Writers’ Union, and member of the Foundation for the Protection and Teaching of the Kurdish Language, Dilovanê Deştê, spoke to ANHA's agency, explaining that language is a mirror reflecting the knowledge and civilization of peoples and communities. Therefore, the struggle of the Kurdish people must be strengthened and intensified.

Dilovanê Deştê pointed out that Kurds celebrate “Kurdish Language Day” on May 15 each year, emphasizing that language is the most important pillar and element for all peoples.

He added that language is not merely a tool for individual communication but also a means of connection and cohesion between communities, and a bridge linking different historical stages. He said: “Language is the tool for clarifying, conveying, and circulating ideas.”

He continued: “Just as Prince Jaladat Bedirkhan used to say among his family and relatives: ‘Either speak Kurdish, or do not claim that we are Kurds,’ knowledge of the self and its definition passes through language. The mother tongue is our existence, and when the language of a people is taken away, that people lose its identity.”

Deştê explained that their goal throughout history and up to the present day has always been to preserve and protect their language. He added: “As a duty on our shoulders, on April 3, 2006, we established the ‘Foundation for the Protection and Teaching of the Kurdish Language.’ Our aim was to protect the language, preserve it, and link it to the heritage and traditions of our ancestors.”

The Kurdish writer Dilovanê Deştê addressed an appeal to every Kurd, saying: “Everyone belonging to the Kurdish people must read and write in their mother tongue, because there are many attempts and efforts aimed at erasing and annihilating our language. Our language is our existence and identity, and preserving and protecting it is a duty for everyone.”

He clarified that Syria is a country inhabited by many ethnic groups, but the interim government currently governing Syria seeks by all means to prevent Kurds from speaking their language. He pointed out that Kurds played a prominent role in building Syria, and history confirms this fact.

In conclusion, Dilovanê Deştê said: “We hope that in the upcoming stage, the Kurdish language will be firmly established and guaranteed officially in the Syrian constitution. Kurds have struggled throughout history and continue to do so, and this struggle will persist.”

It is noteworthy that the Kurdish writer Dilovanê Deştê has published several works aimed at protecting the Kurdish language and promoting mother-tongue education. Among his most prominent publications are the book “Principles of Learning Kurdish Grammar” (Rêgeza Fêrbûna Rêzimana kurdî) and the book “Language is Life and Existence” (Ziman Jiyan û Hebûn e).

ANHA