Investigating Diversity in the Phonological System of Kurdish Language Varieties: A Field Study of 26 Kurdish Varieties in Iran

Documentation, analysis, and comparison of linguistic varieties within a geographical region—given their importance for historical-comparative studies—have long been central to linguistic research. This descriptive-analytical study investigates the distribution of phonemes and consonant clusters in 26 linguistic varieties spoken in the western and southwestern areas of Kurdistan Province. Data were collected through fieldwork using a researcher-designed questionnaire (168 lexical items and 44 sentences) based on the Swadesh list, supplemented by interviews with native speakers. The study addresses three questions: What differences exist among the consonants and vowels of the 26 Kurdish varieties? What is the status of consonant clusters? Based on a dialectometric approach, which dialectal zones can be identified? Findings reveal a total of 33 consonants across the dataset, of which 27 are shared by all varieties, while six consonants [v, q, ɰ, ʕ, ɹ, ʋ] show limited geographical distribution. Among the 15 identified vowels, eight are common to all varieties, whereas seven [y, ɪ, ɛ, a, ɯ, ɤ, ʌ] have restricted distribution. Consonant clusters in syllable-onset position occur in all varieties; in all cases, the second segment is [w]. In some varieties, the vowel [y] corresponds to the glide [w], suggesting a phonological continuum of change: [xwe → xwi → xy]. Although evidence of three-consonant clusters was found at syllable boundaries, no word-initial three-consonant onset clusters were attested. Finally, three dialectal zones are identified: (1) central Sanandaj, Marivan, and Kamyaran; (2) Sirvan (Sanandaj) and western Sarvabad; and (3) southern Kamyaran.