The Language of Forgotten Birds (eBook)

A Kurdish Linguist's Journey to Revive a Lost Dialect

Alexandra Rowland (Autor)

Ai (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2024 | 1. Auflage
237 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-0-00-068506-3 (ISBN)

Infos

In the heart of the Zagros Mountains, where ancient whispers echo through rugged peaks, Kurdish linguist Shirin Baran embarks on a UNESCO mission to document a dying dialect.  The isolated village of Gavlan, perched precariously on a mountainside, holds secrets as weathered as its inhabitants.  Here, amidst the calls of unseen birds, Shirin discovers something extraordinary: haunting lullabies woven into the stories of Dilan, a village elder whose memory stretches back decades.  Could these melodies be remnants of a forgotten language, a linguistic fossil waiting to be unearthed?
Local whispers of the Simurgh, an ancient bird-worshipping sect, ignite Shirin's curiosity.  Her linguistic excavation reveals a complex tapestry of cultural suppression, forced migrations, and desperate attempts to preserve identity.  As Shirin deciphers the lullabies, each syllable a breadcrumb, the Simurgh emerge from the shadows of folklore.  Their language, a secret code of resistance, whispers of a shrouded past.  But Shirin's pursuit comes at a cost.  Turkish authorities, suspicious of Kurdish cultural expression, label her an agitator. Kurdish separatists see her as a threat.  Caught in this political crossfire, her academic quest takes on a dangerous edge.
Into this precarious landscape walks Cem, a Turkish ornithologist captivated by Shirin's passion.  Their shared love for nature and fascination with migration-both avian and human-forges a powerful bond. Yet, Cem harbors a secret, a hidden legacy that could shatter their fragile connection and jeopardize Shirin's work.
A breakthrough comes when Shirin discovers coded messages hidden within traditional Kurdish weaving, each stitch a testament to resilience.  The patterns, she realizes, are a living language, a secret history woven into the fabric of Kurdish identity.  As she unravels these coded threads, a shocking revelation emerges - a link between the Simurgh and her own family, transforming her academic pursuit into a deeply personal quest.
With Cem's reluctant help, Shirin locates the hidden sanctuary of the Simurgh, a cave echoing with forgotten rituals.  But her discovery attracts unwanted attention. Turkish authorities and Kurdish separatists converge, their motives intertwined with the secrets of the past.  In a climactic confrontation, Cem's family secret is exposed, forcing them to confront the complex legacy of their shared history.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 17.12.2024
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-10: 0-00-068506-2 / 0000685062
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-068506-3 / 9780000685063