An Ecolinguistics Analysis on Lexicalization of Domestic Animals in Kurmanji Kurdish

Abstract

Kurmanji is one of the three main varieties of Kurdish language, scattered across some areas of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and both the West and Northeast parts of Iran. The current study adopted the taxonomy organization approach in analyzing the lexicon related to conceptualization of domestic animals in Kurmanji according to Ecolinguistic frame. The data collection method follows the Guide to collecting dialects for the treasury of Iranian dialects. It operates through three stages: literature study, individual interview, and focus group interview. Data was analyzed based on lexican process suggested by Malt, Sloman, & Gennari and, the analyzing frame of folk biological classification and nomenclature, presented by Berlin, Breedlove, & Raven. Participants were selected based on convenience sampling, and the interview process continued till the saturation point was reached. Participants were native speakers aged 45-75 years old. Results revealed that “Same porotypes, different boundaries”, and “Nesting” imply a significant role in Kurmanji nomenclature‌ of domestic animals and led to a recognizable classification of the lexicon based on factors like gender, age, color, verbs, treatment, and occupation. The Kurmanji culture seems to be enriched by the Folkbiological knowledge of speakers and their direct experiences. Also, cultural factors such as the experience of direct exposure and extensive ecological knowledge regarding domestic animals have led to the lexicalization of various concepts to illustrate the magnitude value of animals in Kurmanj’s culture and lifestyle.

Keywords

• kurmanji kurdish
• ecolinguistics
• nomenclature
• levels of specificity
• cultural linguistics