Examining Color Recognition in the Kurdish Language: a Sociolinguistic Perspective

Abstract

This study employs a cross-sectional research design to explore color recognition among Kurdish participants, encompassing individuals from various age and education groups. The research aims to investigate patterns of color perception across demographic segments within the Kurdish population. Participants were selected from four distinct groups: elementary school graduates (elderly), high school students, university students, and university graduates. The study involved presenting participants with a list of color names in Kurdish and recording their responses to assess color recognition. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and percentages, were utilized to analyze the data and identify trends in color perception. The total number of participants in the study was 274. Findings indicate a high level of familiarity with basic colors such as black, white, red, green, yellow, and blue across all participant groups, with recognition rates ranging from 85% to 96%. However, less common colors, including gray, orange, pink, and purple, showed varying levels of recognition among different participant groups. Gray was relatively better recognized compared to other less common colors, with recognition rates ranging from 8.93% to 15%, suggesting potential differences in exposure to color terminology among different age and education groups.