As part of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality’s multilingual service approach, its language courses aim both to strengthen living languages and to bring ancient languages back into public view.

The new-term courses organised by the Language Preservation and Development Branch Directorate, which operates under the Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs, are attracting strong interest. The courses, attended by both municipal staff and residents, are continuing with a total of 320 participants.

Greater linguistic diversity

The course programme has been expanded this term to increase linguistic diversity. In addition to Kurmanji and Zazaki, two varieties of Kurdish already offered, Sorani has also been added to the programme. Armenian and Syriac, which hold an important place in the city’s historical and cultural memory, have likewise been included. In this way, the Municipality aims both to strengthen living languages and to help revitalise languages that are at risk of fading from use.

“Preserving ancient languages is invaluable”

Tahir Baykuşak, Head of the Language Preservation and Development Branch, said they continue to develop their work each term with new content, adding that Armenian and Syriac had historically been the source of significant cultural and artistic production. He said preserving this heritage and passing it on to future generations was of great importance.

Training across different levels and programmes

Baykuşak said the Armenian courses are being delivered online, while Sorani classes are offered at A1 and A2 levels. In Kurmanji, six separate courses have been opened, ranging from A1 to B1, while in Zazaki three courses are being offered at A1, A2 and B1 levels. A separate programme has also been designed for those who already speak Kurdish but want to improve their reading and writing skills.

In-house training for multilingual service delivery

Baykuşak also said the Municipality attached importance to staff training as part of its multilingual service approach, noting that language courses for employees were continuing so that staff could communicate more effectively with residents.

The language courses are expected to continue throughout the year, with new registration periods opening at different times.