Mission

1. Purpose

Learn Kurdish Now exists to preserve the Kurdish language and Kurdish culture, and to make both accessible to every person who wishes to learn them, irrespective of where that person was born or resides.

2. Background

A considerable number of Kurds are born or raised outside Kurdistan. Many of them have limited opportunity to acquire the Kurdish language and to become familiar with Kurdish culture and history. As a consequence, they may come to feel that they belong neither fully to the country in which they live, nor fully to the Kurdish people from whom they descend.

3. Objectives

The project pursues the following objectives:

• to provide free, accurate and well-structured instruction in Kurdish, beginning with Kurmanji and Sorani and extending to further dialects over time;
• to bring Kurds in the diaspora closer to their language, their culture and their heritage;
• to connect Kurds abroad with Kurds in Kurdistan, and to establish a community in which they may learn from, support and befriend one another;
• to document and teach Kurdish history, and the origins and traditions of the Kurdish people;
• to give every learner a foundation for pride in the Kurdish language and Kurdish identity.

4. Principles

• Accessibility. The lessons, quizzes and articles are, and shall remain, free of charge for everyone.
• Inclusion. All Kurds are welcome, from every part of Kurdistan and the diaspora, and speakers of every Kurdish dialect.
• Accuracy. Content is checked against reliable sources and reviewed by native speakers before publication.
• Recognition. Every contributor is credited by name for the work they provide.
• Independence. The project is maintained as a passion project and is guided by the interests of its learners and its community.

5. Participation

Kurds who wish to contribute as writers, quiz makers, lesson builders or proofreaders are invited to become a contributor. The planned development of the project is set out in the roadmap.