An Empirical Intergenerational Study of Language Choice and Language Attitudes among the Kurdish Population in the Multilingual Governorate of Duhok

Language choice and language attitude are crucial subjects in sociolinguistics, particularly in multilingual regions. Despite the linguistic diversity in the Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, no prior research has examined language choice and attitudes there. This study addresses this gap through both macro and micro analyses.

The macro-level analysis examines Kurdish in global and regional contexts using qualitative methods and literature reviews. The micro-level analysis focuses on language choice and attitudes in Duhok, based on the original data. It investigates factors influencing language choice and attitudes, considering age and gender, and explores how language defines identity among the Bahdini people.

The research method comprises sociolinguistic interviews, including a free speech section, a questionnaire on language choice and language attitudes, and a part on picture naming task. The data comprises 108 interviews with Bahdini people, categorized into three age groups (18-30, 31-50, and over 51), exploring the relationships between sociolinguistic variables and language usage and attitudes.

The macro-level findings indicate that Kurdish shares similarities with other regional languages, such as media use, before educational implementation and unique standardization processes. Kurdish language planners can benefit from these comparative experiences.

Micro-level data reveals a correlation between age and Arabic lexical usage. The older generation, more exposed to Arabic, uses more Arabic words. Bahdini is primarily used in social contexts and media consumption across all ages, though English and Arabic media are also popular. In education, the older generation prefers Bahdini, while younger ones favour English. Kurdish knowledge is essential for Kurdish identity across all generations.

Language attitudes show strong positive feelings towards Bahdini and favourable views of English, especially among younger people. Attitudes towards Arabic are complex; Bahdini people support learning Arabic as a second language, but not as the primary medium of education. They disfavour mixing Arabic with Kurdish. There is a negative attitude towards Sorani, with no participants considering it suitable for education.

Gender differences show that women prefer English for instruction more than men. Older and middle-aged women use more Arabic words than men, but younger men use more Arabic words than women.

Overall, age and gender significantly influence language choice and attitudes in the Duhok Governorate.