Zaza–Gorani languages

Zaza and Gorani are two languages belonging to the Northwestern Iranian branch of the Iranian languages. The archaic linguistic features of the two languages have led some researchers to propose that they form a Zaza-Gorani subgroup. The proposed Zaza–Gorani languages are the Zaza languages and the Gorani dialects. Zaza is defined as a macrolanguage and composed of two distinct languages: Southern Zaza and Northern Zaza, spoken in Turkey. The Gorani dialects, on the other hand, consist of Shabaki, Hawrami, Bajelani, Kakayi and Sarli.

They are usually classified as a non-Kurdish branch of the Northwestern Iranian languages. According to some, most of their speakers consider themselves ethnic Kurds. However, many Zazas and Goranis oppose it and emphasize their own identity distinct from Kurds.