In an interview with Kurdpress, Dr. Mohammad Zaher said the state of Kurdish language in Turkey is not suitable. For the past century, the Kurdish language has never been able to achieve its status in Turkey.

He continued: "From 1927 until 1992, in addition to the ban on teaching in Kurdish, talking in this language was also prohibited. The ban was lifted relatively during Turgut Ozal presidency and a door was opened to Kurdish language, but it does not enjoy a good situation yet.

"In the first four years of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's reign, teaching and reading were unacceptable in Kurdish language, the situation worsened even more than ever after the failure of the peace process between the government and Kurdish groups,” he went on to say.

This Kurdish language and literature professor at the University of Bingol pointed to the Kurds’ efforts to preserve their language and identity in Turkey, and noted that the Kurds in Turkey have tried for seven decades to prove themselves. Nearly 35 million Kurds live in Turkish Republic and their identity has to be identified and accepted.

He referred to the Zazai dialect in Turkey's Kurdistan and said seventy percent of the population in Bingol region is Zazai and Bingol is the capital of the Zazai dialect.

He went on to add that there are two ideas about Zazai dialect. The idea that claims Zazai says is not Kurdish and the one that considers Zazai as Kurdish.

Dr. Mohammad Zaher pointed out that the idea that claims Zazai is not Kurdish is an official reading and is a government project.

He further added that there are Kurdish departments at the University of Mos, Mardin and Bingol and the students are given a Bachelor's degree in Kurdish language.

Te professor further said there is no job for Kurdish language and literature graduates, and the students have no other way but to choose other jobs, and this situation has reduced the number of the applicants who want to study it.

Dr. Mohammed Zaher added the Kurdish sector attracts two people every year, and this encourages more disinterest in studying Kurdish language and literature.

The professor further said the situation of printing and publishing in Kurdish is very poor in Turkey and it is not a big claim to say that if someone publishes a book, he will be the only reader of the book.

He pointed out that the process of assimilating in Kurds in Turkey has significantly affected the language and culture of the Kurdish people.

Reporter’s code: 50101