Sorani, Kurmanji or Bahdini? Why the Right Kurdish Dialect Matters When You Book an Interpreter

“Kurdish interpreter required” is one of the most common requests we receive from solicitors, courts and public sector teams. It is also one of the requests most likely to go wrong if the dialect isn’t confirmed first.

Kurdish is not a single, uniform language. It is a group of closely related varieties spoken across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria and beyond. The two main forms differ enough that speakers of one often struggle to understand the other, in both speech and writing. If you book the wrong one, the interpreter may not be able to work with your client at all.

This guide explains the main differences and what to ask before you book, so your appointment, hearing or document translation goes ahead first time.

The main Kurdish dialects at a glance

Sorani (Central Kurdish)

Sorani is spoken mainly in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, including Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, and in western Iran. It is written in a modified Arabic-based script.

Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish)

Kurmanji is the most widely spoken form of Kurdish. It is used mainly in Turkey and Syria, as well as parts of northern Iraq and Iran. In Turkey and Syria it is usually written in a Latin-based alphabet.

Bahdini (Badini)

Bahdini is a variety of Kurmanji spoken in the Bahdinan area of northern Iraq, around Duhok. Unlike most Kurmanji, it is commonly written in an Arabic-based script. Speakers may describe themselves as speaking “Bahdini” rather than “Kurmanji”, so it is worth asking about both.

Other, smaller Kurdish varieties also exist. If your client’s background doesn’t fit neatly into the categories above, let us know where they are from and we will advise.

Why it matters for legal and public sector work

In a solicitor’s appointment, a police interview or a court hearing, accuracy is everything. An interpreter who only partly understands your client’s dialect can lead to:

• Inaccurate instructions or statements: nuances are lost, or answers are paraphrased rather than interpreted.
• Wasted appointments: the interpreter attends but cannot work effectively, and the session has to be rebooked.
• Delays to proceedings: hearings may need to be adjourned while a suitable interpreter is found.
• Documents that can’t be read: a translation produced in the wrong script or variety may be of little use to the person it is intended for.

The same applies to written work. If you are sending letters, witness statements or information leaflets to a Kurdish-speaking client, the translator needs to know which variety and which script your reader uses.

Five questions to ask before you book

1. Which Kurdish do you speak? Ask directly about Sorani, Kurmanji or Bahdini. “Kurdish” alone isn’t enough.
2. Where are you, or your family, from? The country and region are often the clearest indicator of dialect.
3. Which script do you read? Arabic-based or Latin-based. This is essential for any translated documents.
4. Do you speak any other languages? Some Kurdish speakers are also comfortable in Arabic, Farsi or Turkish. That can be useful information, but always confirm their preferred language for anything important.
5. Has an interpreter worked well for you before? If so, note the language and dialect on your file for future bookings. You can also ask us for a specific interpreter, and we will check whether they are available.

If the dialect can’t be confirmed in advance, tell us when you book. Telephone or video interpreting can sometimes be a practical way to confirm the right language before a longer face-to-face appointment.

It isn’t only Kurdish

The same principle applies to many of the languages we cover. Dari and Farsi, Afghan and Pakistani Pashto, and Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic are all examples where the precise language or variety makes a real difference. When booking any interpreter, the more detail you can give about your client’s language background, the better the match we can make.

How Translate UK can help

We provide interpreting and translation in over 200 languages and dialects, including Kurdish (Sorani), Kurdish (Kurmanji), Kurdish (Bahdini) and Kurdish (Kurmanji/Bahdini). Our network includes over 3,500 qualified interpreters and translators.

As a secondary supplier to the Ministry of Justice, we support courts, tribunals, solicitors and police with interpreters experienced in legal terminology and procedures. We are certified to ISO 18841 for interpreting services and ISO 17100 for translation services, and documents are transferred through our secure Egress portal in line with GDPR.

Our interpreting services include:

• Face-to-face interpreting for client meetings, hearings and interviews anywhere in the UK
• Telephone interpreting and remote video interpreting for quicker or shorter sessions
• Document translation for legal, medical, business and personal documents

Need a Kurdish interpreter or translator? Email bookings@translateuk.net for interpreting, translations@translateuk.net for translation, or call 01422 253353.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Sorani speaker understand Kurmanji?

Often not well. Although they are related, Sorani and Kurmanji differ in grammar, vocabulary and script, and many speakers find the other hard to understand. Always book an interpreter for the specific dialect your client speaks.

Is Bahdini the same as Kurmanji?

Bahdini is a variety of Kurmanji spoken in northern Iraq. However, it is usually written in an Arabic-based script, while Kurmanji in Turkey and Syria uses a Latin-based alphabet. For written translation in particular, it is important to specify Bahdini.

My client just says they speak “Kurdish”. What should I do?

Ask where they or their family are from, and which script they read. If you are still unsure, contact our bookings team with as much detail as you have and we will advise.

Can you translate documents into Kurdish as well as interpret?

Yes. We provide document translation alongside face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting. Let us know the dialect and script your reader uses when you request a quote.