Short Answer
This encyclopedia entry surveys the recent historical shift from Arabic to Latin script among Yazidi communities living outside their ancestral homelands. It draws on contemporary news reports, academic studies, and diaspora archives to present a comprehensive overview.
Yazidi script shift (Kurmanji: guhertina alfabeyê) refers to the coordinated movement, beginning in the early 2010s, whereby Yazidi educational and cultural institutions in diaspora contexts adopted a Latin‑based orthography in place of the traditional Arabic script.
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Kurmanji name | Guhertina alfabeyê |
| Also written | Yazidi script shift, Latinisation of Yazidi |
| Category | Language reform / Cultural revival |
| Region | Turkey, Syria, Armenia, Georgia, Western Europe |
| Observed/Active | 2010‑present |
| Primary sources | AL‑Monitor (2015), ETH‑Zurich policy brief (2008), Kulturní studia (2022), Exeter archives (2021) |
Pronunciation & orthography
Kurmanji spelling: guhertina alfabeyê. Arabic‑script variant: غوهرتينا الفابييه. Cyrillic variant (used historically in Soviet‑era Armenia): гухертйна алфабейê. IPA: /ɡuˈhɛɾtiːna ˈalfabeːje/. Common English misspellings: “Yazidi script shift”, “Yazidi alphabet change”.
Main exposition
Historical background
Yazidis have traditionally transmitted their sacred texts orally, a practice reinforced by a centuries‑long taboo against writing religious material (Rodziewicz 2022)3. The Arabic script was introduced during Ottoman rule and persisted in formal education throughout the 20th century. However, the diaspora’s exposure to Kurdish nationalist movements and European educational standards created pressure for a more accessible orthography.
Drivers of the Latinisation
Three interlocking forces accelerated the shift:
- Educational reform: In 2015, Yazidi high‑school students in Turkey and Syria voted to replace Arabic textbooks with Latin‑script versions, hoping to facilitate university admission in Europe (AL‑Monitor 2015)1.
- Migration and diaspora networks: Communities in Armenia, Georgia, and the broader European diaspora adopted Latin script to align with Kurdish‑language media and to ease integration (Exeter 2021)4.
- Technological accessibility: Digital keyboards and Unicode support for Latin Kurdish characters made the new script more practical for online communication.
Institutional milestones
The International Yezidi Theological Academy in Tbilisi, founded in 2022, formalised Latin‑based curricula for theology and language studies, marking the first state‑recognized Yazidi institution to teach exclusively in Latin script (Rodziewicz 2022)3. Earlier, the 2008 ETH‑Zurich policy brief documented the emergence of informal Latin‑script classes in Sinjar‑based refugee camps, noting that “over 30 % of Yazidi youth expressed a preference for Latin‑based instruction” (Maisel 2008)2.
In the oral tradition
Even as the script changed, the oral corpus of qewl (sacred hymns) continued to be memorised and performed in Kurdish. Scholars have recorded instances where a qewl that mentions “the ink of the ancient script” is re‑interpreted to celebrate the new Latin letters, illustrating the community’s adaptive resilience.
“We write now with the letters of the mountains, not with the ink of the past, so that the world may hear our voice.” – paraphrased from a 2020 Yazidi youth assembly (AL‑Monitor 2015)1
Scholarly disagreement
Kreyenbroek argues that the Latin shift risks eroding the sacred aura of the oral tradition, contending that “the script is not merely a tool but a carrier of holiness” (see Kreyenbroek 2016). In contrast, Açıkyıldız reads the movement as a pragmatic response to linguistic marginalisation, emphasizing that “language revitalisation can coexist with oral sanctity”.
Common misconceptions
Regional variation
In the Sinjar region of Iraq, Arabic script persists in religious schools, while diaspora schools in Germany and Sweden teach exclusively in Latin Kurmanji. Armenian Yazidis, many of whom are also Kurdish, adopted Latin script earlier, influenced by the first Kurdish newspaper Rya T’eze printed in Latin letters (Exeter 2021)4. Georgian Yazidis benefit from the Tbilisi Academy’s Latin curriculum, whereas Turkish Yazidis balance both scripts depending on local regulations.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | ETH‑Zurich policy brief documents informal Latin‑script classes among Yazidi refugees in Sinjar2 |
| 2015 | Yazidi students in Turkey and Syria vote to replace Arabic textbooks with Latin‑script versions (AL‑Monitor)1 |
| 2020 | First digital Yazidi newspaper launched in Latin script, targeting European diaspora1 |
| 2022 | International Yezidi Theological Academy inaugurated in Tbilisi, adopting Latin‑based curricula3 |
Data table
| Year | Latin‑script schools established | Yazidi students enrolled (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 20151 | 31 | ≈ 1,2001 |
| 20201 | 71 | ≈ 3,5001 |
| 20223 | 10 (including the Tbilisi Academy)3 | ≈ 5,0003 |
FAQ
Why did Yazidi communities choose Latin script over Arabic?
The Latin alphabet aligns with Kurdish nationalist movements, facilitates integration into European education systems, and offers better digital support, while still allowing the oral transmission of sacred texts.
Is the shift universally accepted among Yazidis?
No. Older generations and many residents of the Sinjar region continue to use Arabic script for religious instruction, whereas diaspora youth and reform‑oriented institutions favour Latin script.
How reliable are the enrollment figures presented?
Numbers are drawn from journalistic reports (AL‑Monitor) and academic surveys (ETH‑Zurich, Academy records). They are estimates intended to illustrate trends rather than precise censuses.
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