Transformation of Kurdish political movement discourse during 1990-2014

Today, the Kurdish Political Movement became one of the most important elements that can not be avoided any more in relation to the politics of Turkey and Middle East. This Movement has been represented nowadays by the "Halkların Demokratik Partisi" (Democratic Party of Peoples) within the Turkish Republic Parliament. Kurdish Political Movement of Turkey has reached to a significant position within Turkish politics by transforming its discourse in accordance with the changed circumstances and by enhancing its existence during the process beginning from 1990's and continuing since today. The subject-matter of this study includes the transformation of discourse of traditional Pro- Kurdish Parties of which was commenced with the establishment of HEP during the period of 1990-2014 and which is still continuing with the "Halkların Demokratik Partisi" (Democratic Party of Peoples) today. In this study, the hegemony struggle was analyzed within the framework of main problematic that is including with which discursive strategies did the Pro- Kurdish Parties conducted their struggles in order to represent the Kurdish Identity and its capability of existence within the Turkish political arena by basing on the hegemony and discourse theories of Laclau and Mouffe. In this context, party programs and regulations, addressed speech texts as well as the official documentation of entire parties - DEP, HADEP,DEHAP,DTP,BDP,HDP- that were established since HEP until today were used as the primary sources in this study. Data obtained from such readings were analyzed by using the discourse analysis concepts that were developed by Laclau and Mouffe. This study, the transformation occurred in the discourse of Pro-Kurdish Parties since 1990's until year 2014 was set forth in relation to the hegemony struggle conducted within this historical process. Furthermore, it was discussed about which identities and differences were articulated by the movement into its discourse during this period and with which discursive strategies this hegemony struggle was carried out by fixing partly the meanings thereof.