Kurmanji

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Kurmanji (language code: ku; autonym: kurdî) is spoken by around 20 million people in Turkey, Syria and some neighboring countries. It is the most widely spoken Kurdish language and is usually written in Latin script, but can also be written in the Cyrillic or Arabic Script. More details on Wikipedia: Wikipedia:Kurdish language Wikipedia:Kurmanji Kurdish

Almost all Kurmanji speakers speak at least one more language: the official language in the country they live in. Those living in Turkey (the majority of Kurmanji speakers) speak Turkish, those living in Syria speak Arabic for example. Kurmanji is spoken at home, but as the whole education system and official administration is not in Kurmanji, they are often not confident in reading and writing their language. Often they miss specialized words and accordingly include words from the official language in their region. There is not very much written literature available. Additionally there are many regional dialects and the spelling is partly not standardized.

Kurmanji Bible translations

There are two Bible translations with Latin script available:

KURNT translation

This translation has the New Testament and major parts of the Old Testament finished (the rest is being worked on). It's character is more an easy-to-read, thought-by-thought translation. When you see a Kurmanji Bible online or anywhere else it's most likely this translation. Also abbreviated KNTP.

It is freely available in the following ways:

  • Reading online:
  • Smartphone apps and software:
    • YouVersion smartphone app: Text of the whole Bible, recordings of the New Testament. Can be downloaded and is then available for offline use. Select Kurmancî in the language selection and then select KURNT.
    • bible.is smartphone app: Text of the whole Bible, recordings of the New Testament. Select Kurdish Kurmanji in the language selection and then select K05.
  • Audio Bible:
  • Printed copies:
    • ISBN 9789754620689 (New Testament)
    • (New Testament + Psalms)
    • www.meos.ch in Switzerland

Kitêba Pîroz

This translation includes the whole Bible. It's character is more a word-by-word translation and it uses a more sophisticated language. It doesn't seem to be available anywhere in digital form. It exists in a printed, very thick format.

It is freely available in the following ways:

Jesus Film


Training resources available in Kurmanji