The language trainings of the association, which was established in Êlih (Batman) in 2018 as Mereto Language Research and Culture Association and changed its name to Arî Language Research and Culture Association (ARÎ-DER) with the congress held on 3 July 2021, continue. In the association, which has two classes named Cegerxwîn and Ehmedê Xanî, 72 students are currently being taught in the Kurmanji dialect of Kurdish. Those who graduate from the 3-month course will be able to move on to the next level. Students who complete the courses consisting of 1, 2 and 3 stages, each lasting 3 months, will be eligible for 9 months of teacher training. While lessons are given in 4 workshops, 25 people are taking lessons at the 1st level, 17 at the 2nd level, 15 at the 3rd level and 15 in the teaching workshop.

 

'LET'S STRUGGLE FOR LANGUAGE AGAINST ASSIMILATION'

 

Meral Kaptan, Co-chiar of the association, stated that they have trained hundreds of students and teachers since the day they were founded and that they will open new workshops according to the applications. Noting that participation in the workshops is important, Meral Kaptan emphasised that it is important to speak Kurdish in order to ensure the development of Kurdish in all areas of life. Meral Kaptan said that Kurdish, which was previously a language that people spoke secretly due to bans, has become a language known to the world with the struggle.

 

Meral Kaptan added, "Kurdish is a very rich language. Each dialect contains a different richness. We need to speak and develop our language with the awareness of this. Let's fight for language in all areas of life despite the assimilation policies. Kurdish must be the official and educational language. This education should be given at childhood. It should be spoken everywhere, not just at home. Everyone should read and write in Kurdish for the development and preservation of the language. Let's prevent assimilation and develop our language. Let us be especially sensitive against auto-assimilation."

 

DEMAND FOR EDUCATION AND OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

 

Şinda Ayazgül, one of the instructors of the association, studied at Êlih KURDÎ-DER, which was closed down with a Decree Law (KHK) during the State of Emergency (OHAL) declared after the 15 July 2016 military coup attempt. Despite the closure of KURDÎ-DER, Şinda Ayazgül did not give up her struggle for her mother tongue. Şinda Ayazgül, who started teaching Kurdish when ARÎ-DER opened, has been teaching Kurdish since 2011. Şinda Ayazgül, who teaches 15 people in the teaching workshop at the association, speaks Kurdish at home, in the bazaar, at work and in state institutions. Şinda Ayazgül pointed out that in order for the mother tongue to come to life, it must be spoken, written and educated.

 

Stating that the Kurdish language has been subjected to assimilation policies throughout history, Şinda Ayazgül said, "KURDÎ-DER, which played an important role in the development of the Kurdish language, was closed down. However, new associations were established. When a language finds a place in society, it maintains its continuity. The struggle for it to be among the living languages must be waged in every field. Because it is the language that brings a people into existence. Political authorities should take responsibility for the development of this language. Despite assimilation policies, it is important for the language to be the official language of education and education. Education should start at a young age. Education that starts at a young age in the mother tongue leaves a good impression on the individual and paves the way for his/her development. For this, it must be the language of education. Importance should be given to the development of the language with a struggle led by women."

 

MA / Fethi Balaman