Vedikim vs. Divekim: More on Neo-Aramaic Influence on Kurdish

Abstract

In a paper I wrote in 1995 called ‘Neo-Aramaic and Kurdish: An Interdisciplinary Consideration of Their Influence on Each Other’, I discussed historical, folkloristic and linguistic aspects of the areal features shared by Kurdish, particularly the Behdini dialects of Kurmanji, and the neighbouring Neo-Aramaic dialects. Since then, several studies of the relations between these two language communities have appeared, largely exploring Kurdish influence on Neo-Aramaic and not limiting themselves to Kurmanji. In what follows, I will be focusing primarily on Neo-Aramaic influence on Kurmanji, with one Sorani example, in an attempt to provide linguistic examples that may have emerged from the historical scenarios mentioned in my 1995 paper.