The Kharberd–Yerznka dialect was a group of varieties of the same dialect that were spoken in the regions of
Kharberd,
Erzincan,
Dersim, and
Kiğı in the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
before
WWI. After which it was spoken only in the diaspora In Syria, Romania, United States, and Lebanon. Although the
Dersim variety was still spoken in
Tunceli until 1938 when The
Alevi Ashirets were dissolved and the remaining
Armenians
Armenians (, ) are an ethnic group indigenous to the Armenian highlands of West Asia.Robert Hewsen, Hewsen, Robert H. "The Geography of Armenia" in ''The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiq ...
of
Tunceli became
Alevi and were assimilated into
Zaza society.
Variations
Hrachia Acharian wrote short stories in different regional variations of the dialect in his 1909 book.
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Kharberd Subdialect: Gëli Chëli Khoroz më gëlli, As Khorozin Odkë push më gë mënna, Inch Geneh Chener chi gërnër ad pushë haner. Gellah gerta mamigi më gësa, ki as pushë hana!
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Eastern Armenian comparison: Këlini Chi-Lini, Mi aklor Këlini, Es Aklori Votkë push k'mtni, Ich arav charav chk'aroghatsav et pushë haner. K'elni kerta mayrin kasi, es pushë hani!
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Dersim Subdialect: Tsors dzin al Barrgetsutsi, Meg martun al glokhë gëyretsi, Desa or pasan Gëseh, Ha babam olasëz, tsi gider o yes im, ëni gide te turker Ghamber'n eh brnadz.
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Eastern Armenian: Chors dziyern el p'arkatsram, mek' marti glukhn dzer tvam, T'esa vor pasan asav, ha im papi dziyern, ch'giter vor yes im, inkë k'artzumer vor Turkerë Ghambarë vertsran.
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Erzincan Subdialect: Erikë k'ita dzovun kenarë kë nst'i, mek' hats ink kutë, mek'aln a dzovun dzk'nerun kë net'i. Anmen or medz dzouk më kuga ënonts dzerken k'arneh, k'tani agher. ësank' k'aneh t'ari më anmen or.
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Eastern Armenian: Erikë kerta tzovi shurj k'nsti, mek' hats inkë kuti, mek'n el tzovi dzoukerin k'neti. Amen or metz dzouk g'ga irants dzerkerits k'arni u k'tani. esi tarin amen or arav.
Notable speakers
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Shahan Natalie
Shahan Natalie (; July 14, 1884 – April 19, 1983) was an Armenian writer and political activist who was the principal organizer of Operation Nemesis, a campaign of revenge against officials of the former Ottoman Empire who organized the Armen ...
(1884–1983) Author,
Dashnak,
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Vahan Totovents (1889–1938) Writer, poet
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Tlgadintsi (1860–1915) Writer, poet
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Hamastegh (1895–1966) Writer, poet
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Soghomon Tehlirian (1896–1960)
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Varaztad Kazanjian (1879–1974) Dentist
Songs and examples in the dialect
Conversation in dialectJacques KebadianHusseinig balladGesurin naz bareDersim folk music
References
Armenian dialects
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kharberd-Yerznka dialect