What is the language of the people of Ilam, Iran?

The Kurdish language is one of the Indo-Iranian languages, which linguists classify as part of the Northwestern Iranian languages. What is now known as Kurdish actually consists of several dialects, which at times differ so significantly that speakers cannot understand each other. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that they all share many common features. It could be said that the major differences between Kurdish dialects stem from living in different geographic areas and the influence of neighboring ethnic groups, which has played a role in the formation of these diverse dialects.

The existence of various Kurdish dialects on one hand, and the dispersion of their speakers across different countries on the other, has led to different classifications being proposed for them.

Sarayee has categorized Kurdish dialects geographically as follows:

Northwestern Kurdish: This includes the Kurmanji dialect and its branches. It is spoken in Kurdish regions of Turkey, Syria, parts of Iraqi Kurdistan, Azerbaijan in Iran, northern Khorasan, as well as in regions of northern republics like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan.

Northern Kurdish: This includes the Sorani dialect and its branches. It is spoken in Iraqi Kurdistan, Iran, and parts of the Kermanshah and West Azerbaijan provinces.

Central Kurdish: This includes the Hoorami dialect, spoken by its speakers scattered in the Hawraman regions of Iran and Iraq.

Southern Kurdish: This includes the dialects of Kalhori, Ilami, and Laki.

Southern Kurdish Dialects

Southern Kurdish is divided into the following varieties:

Kalhori Kurdish: Spoken in Kermanshah and parts of Ilam province, including the cities of Iwan, Shirwan Chardaval, and Chwar. It differs slightly from the Ilami Kurdish dialect.

Ilamic Kurdish: This is the main dialect of the people in Ilam province, including major and old tribes. It is spoken with slight variations in the cities of Ilam, Mehran, Sarabalah, Badreh, and in the southern regions of the province, such as Dehloran, Dareh Shahr, and Abdanan, as well as in parts of Iraq, such as Mandali and Khanqin.

Laki: This dialect is widely spoken in the provinces of Lorestan, Kermanshah, Hamadan, and parts of Ilam. It is often mistakenly considered a variety of Luri or a branch of it.

Phonological systems, vocabulary, syntax, cultural traditions, and many other features show that Laki is a distinct and important dialect of Kurdish.

A Study on Ilami Kurdish

Ilamic Kurdish, sometimes referred to as “Fili,” is widely spoken in most areas of Ilam province. The term “Fili” is not well-known among the people of Ilam, but it has been popularized by the Kurds living in Iraq due to the dominance of the rulers from Lorestan, known as Fili, over Ilam. This term is a specific and general metaphor (Sarayee).

The Fili dialect has several sub-dialects, the most important of which are:

• Malkeshahi: Spoken in Ilam and Mehran counties.
• Khezali: Spoken in parts of Shirwan Chardaval county.
• Abdanani: Spoken in Abdanan, Dehloran, and Dareh Shahr counties.
• Ilami: Spoken in Ilam, Mehran, and Shirwan Chardaval counties.
• Badrehi: Spoken in the Badreh area of Dareh Shahr county

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Frequently asked questions

What is the language of the people of Ilam?

The language of the people of Ilam is Ilami Kurdish (Fili), which is spoken in most areas of this province.

Is Ilami Kurdish the same as Kurdish?

Yes, Ilami Kurdish is one of the dialects of Kurdish, but due to its unique characteristics, it is also known as “Fili.”

What are the differences between the various dialects of Ilami Kurdish?

The different dialects of Ilami Kurdish include Malikshahi, Khazali, Abdanani, Ilami, and Badraei, and they have differences in accent and vocabulary.

Is Ilami Kurdish different from other Kurdish dialects?

Yes, Ilami Kurdish has differences in accent and vocabulary compared to other Kurdish dialects such as Sorani and Kurmanji.

Do the people of Ilam speak any other languages?

Some people in Ilam also speak Persian, as it is recognized as the official language throughout Iran.

Does Ilami Kurdish have connections with other languages of Iran?

Ilami Kurdish belongs to the Indo-Iranian language family and is closely related to other Kurdish dialects and Iranian languages.

Is Ilami Kurdish at risk of being forgotten?

Like many local languages, Ilami Kurdish faces threats from globalization and official languages, but it is still spoken in regions of Ilam.

Does Ilami Kurdish have cultural significance?

Yes, Ilami Kurdish is an important part of the cultural identity of the people of Ilam and plays a crucial role in preserving local traditions, customs, and folklore.