The United Nations (UN) Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO) declared 21 February as International Mother Language Day in 2000 to draw attention to the diverse languages of the world and encourage multi-culturalism. As the date approaches this year, Kurdish writer Hamit Dilbahar drew attention to the assimilation policies imposed on the Kurdish language.
Dilbahar said, “One of the pillars of isolation is the isolation of language”.
Dilbahar emphasised that the Kurdish language was subject to assimilation for centuries.
Referring to the isolation imposed in Turkey’s prisons, Dilbahar defined the assimilation of the Kurdish language as an aspect of isolation. He also called on politicians and intellectuals to lead efforts to protect the Kurdish language.