Kurdish vs. Turkish — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 27, 2023
Kurdish pertains to the Kurds, an ethnic group from the Middle East, and their language. Turkish relates to Turkey, its citizens, and the official language spoken there.
Difference Between Kurdish and Turkish
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Kurdish and Turkish are distinct languages spoken predominantly in the Middle East. While Kurdish is the language of the Kurds, an ethnic group spread across Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, Turkish is the official language of Turkey and is spoken by the majority of its population.
Historically, the Kurds and Turks have had intricate relations. Kurdish territories span parts of modern-day Turkey, and while Turkish is the dominant language in Turkey, Kurdish holds significant importance in the southeastern regions. The linguistic differences between Kurdish and Turkish are significant, as they belong to different language families: Kurdish to the Indo-Iranian branch and Turkish to the Turkic group.
Culturally, both Kurdish and Turkish societies have rich histories and traditions. The arts, music, and literature in both cultures have distinct flavors, reflecting their unique heritages. Although there are similarities due to geographical proximity and historical interactions, the cultural expressions remain individualistic for both Kurds and Turks.
Both Kurdish and Turkish populations have made significant contributions to global society. There are communities of Kurds and Turks worldwide, each contributing to the global mosaic of cultures and languages. The diasporas of both communities remain attached to their roots, and the languages, Kurdish and Turkish, serve as pivotal links to their respective heritages.
Comparison Chart
Language Family
Indo-Iranian
Turkic
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Regions Spoken
Parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria
Primarily in Turkey
Script Used
Latin (in Turkey), Arabic (in Iraq and Iran), Cyrillic (formerly in Soviet regions)
Latin (modified)
Grammar Structure
Subject-Object-Verb
Subject-Object-Verb
Historical Influence
Persian, Arabic, Ottoman Turkish
Ottoman Turkish, Persian, Arabic, French
Compare with Definitions
Kurdish
The language spoken by the Kurdish people.
She sang a traditional song in Kurdish.
Turkish
The official language of Turkey.
Many Turkish words have roots in Ottoman Turkish.
Kurdish
Relating to the Kurds or their language.
Kurdish culture has a rich history of storytelling.
Turkish
Relating to the culture, traditions, and history of Turkey.
Turkish baths, or hamams, are a traditional form of relaxation.
Kurdish
Of or pertaining to the ethnic group native to parts of the Middle East.
The Kurdish diaspora is spread around the world.
Turkish
Pertaining to Turkey or its residents.
Turkish cuisine is renowned for its kebabs and baklava.
Kurdish
Of or relating to the Kurds or their language or culture.
Turkish
Of or concerning the Republic of Turkey.
The Turkish government announced new trade policies.
Kurdish
Any of a group of Iranian languages spoken by the Kurds.
Turkish
Descriptive of the customs, artifacts, and stories of the people of Turkey.
Turkish carpets are sought after for their intricate designs.
Kurdish
Of or pertaining to the Kurds, the Kurdish language, or Kurdistan.
Turkish
Of or relating to Turkey or its peoples, languages, or cultures.
Kurdish
The language of the Kurds; it is related to Farsi, the modern Iranian language.
Turkish
The Turkic language of Turkey.
Kurdish
An Iranian language spoken in Turkey and Iran and Iraq and Syria and Russia
Turkish
Ottoman Turkish.
Kurdish
Of or relating to Kurdistan or the Kurds or their language and culture;
Kurdish Moslems
Turkish
Of or pertaining to Turkey or the Turks.
Kurdish
Associated with the regions in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria inhabited by Kurds.
The Kurdish region in Iraq enjoys a degree of autonomy.
Turkish
A Turkic language spoken by the Turks
Kurdish
Descriptive of the customs, traditions, and history of the Kurdish people.
Kurdish folklore is filled with tales of heroism.
Turkish
Of or relating to or characteristic of Turkey or its people or language;
Turkish towels
Common Curiosities
What's the primary language in Turkey?
The primary language in Turkey is Turkish.
Is Kurdish spoken only in Turkey?
No, Kurdish is also spoken in parts of Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Are Turkish and Ottoman Turkish the same?
No, while they're related, Ottoman Turkish was influenced more by Arabic and Persian.
Are Kurdish and Turkish similar languages?
No, they belong to different language families and have distinct linguistic features.
Is Kurdish the official language in any country?
No, Kurdish isn't the official language in any country, but it has regional recognition in some areas.
Which script is used for writing Turkish?
A modified Latin script is used for writing Turkish.
How many variants of the Kurdish language are there?
There are several, with Kurmanjí and Soraní being the most prominent.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
