Moscow university offers Kurdish language

MOSCOW, Russia (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdish language is being taught at a state university in Russia for the first time, a Kurdistan24 correspondent in Moscow reported.

The reputable Moscow State Linguistic University, which provides courses in 35 languages, is now offering the Kurdish language to Russians and international students.

Over 12 students have been learning the Kurmanji dialect of Kurdish in Moscow in the past three months.

In an interview with Kurdistan24, the President of Moscow State Linguistic University said offering the Kurdish language for the first time was a result of geopolitical dynamics.

Dr. Wadim Makaranka, the chairperson and founder of Kurdish language studies, said Russia sets its eyes on the future.

Iraqi Kurds have achieved a lot, and Kurds in Syria and Turkey are also fighting for their rights, the professor said.

He added Russia valued Kurds as the group in the Middle East that have been close to Russia’s policies and will have a future in the region.

Students who selected Kurdish out of the 35 other languages offered at Moscow State Linguistic University told Kurdistan24 they chose the language to ensure a better future for themselves.

The following video features students in Moscow speaking in Kurdish:

Previously known as Maurice Thorez Moscow State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages, Moscow State Linguistic University is the largest and oldest school in Russia specializing in linguistics and foreign languages.

Historically, Kurdish belonged to the Indo-European language family and was developed between 4,000 and 2,000 years ago.

A 2010 Russian census registered a total of 63,818 Kurds living in Russia.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany
(Khoshawi Mohammad from Moscow contributed to this report)