Preserving Kurdish Identity

I have known Rashid Karadaghi for more than 40 years, and I have shared his anguish over the horrible, unrelenting oppression that the Kurds have suffered for so long (“Slender Roots,” Jan. 7). I have also witnessed Rashid’s monumental efforts to aid in the preservation of Kurdish identity by writing the first truly complete and authoritative Kurdish-English dictionary.

Rashid’s labors on his dictionary were performed mostly in obscurity, with very little recognition or assistance. Thus, it is now especially gratifying to me to see a bit of long-deserved recognition for Rashid’s splendid gift to the Kurdish people.

Bruce Garber

Ojai

It is vital to know that the Kurds are the single largest ethnic group, at about 25 million, who do not have their own country. For families such as the Karadaghis, who have roots in two worlds, there is a lot to be proud of in their Kurdish heritage. It would be a shame to abandon it as they adapt to American life.

Sylvain Fribourg

West Hills