LANGUAGE POLICY IN MODERN KAZAKHSTAN
SH. ISHMUKHAMEDOV — Senior lecturer, candidate of political science of KazNPU named after Abai
1. INTRODUCTION
The modern Republic Kazakhstan is a recognised democratic state on space of Eastern Europe and the Central Asia. Kazakhstan is celebrating the 20th anniversary of independence in 2011. For a short time of independence, the country has undertaking various reforms mainly in the economy, political, social spheres. Widely regarded as a significant issue of political action, attracting attention of scientists, researchers and government officials, the language policy is an extremely interesting topic for countries with a complex linguistic situation.
In the modern Republic of Kazakhstan different ethnic groups and nationalities live and work together. There are over 130 different nationalities and ethnic groups, with two dominated ethnic: Kazakhs and Russians. In addition, according to the latest national census (2009), Kazakhstan is ethnically, culturally, religiously diverse country: Kazakhs, the largest group, represents a 63,1% of the total population; Russians, 23,7%; Uzbeks, 2,8%; Ukrainians, 2,1%; Uighurs, 1,4%, Tatars, 1,3%; Germans, 1,1%. In addition, there are ethnic groups, like Koreans, Kurds, Meschetian Turks, Chechens, who have been forcibly displaced during the mass deportations to the country during the Soviet era (see chart 1). In such circumstances, the formation and implementation of language policy is a political challenge for the government and political elite.
As a proof of the high results achieved in this area -Kazakhstan had no language policy and strategy in the first years of independence- the state currently guarantees not only free right to use languages, but also the protection and the development of all languages, nationalities, ethnic groups in Kazakhstan.
In this paper a report on the situation of language policy in Kazakhstan will be shown, paying attention particularly to the constitutional, normative, institutional arrangements which are supporting political actions in the country in this field.
2. CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS OF LANGUAGE POLICY OF KAZAKHSTAN
It is important to note that the language policy of protection of rights and interests of ethnic groups and minorities is a very relevant and significant question for the people and scientists of Kazakhstan. There are many scientific studies that confirm the presence of a link between a large emigration of people from Kazakhstan and the implementation of language, ethnic politics (Olcott, 2002; Sadovskaia, 2001).
Trying to show the background of the developments on the language policy, it is necessary first to start commenting the constitutional basis.
In its modern history, Kazakhstan has had two constitutions (1993, 1995) which differ on the issues of separation of power between the president, executive, legislative and judiciary; system of checks and balances, the electoral system and others. But one significant difference rises from issues like the political and legal space of the state language and the political rights of the majority and minorities.
The first Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan was adopted in 1993. Although a first a step towards the building of a democratic state, it was canceled for various political, legal reasons, and among them, the most important cause was the language policy and the ethnic orientation and sense of the clauses and provisions.
The preamble to the Constitution of 1993 stated that «We, the people of the Republic of Kazakhstan … based on the inviolability of Kazakh statehood … accepting this Constitution” [1]. Thus, the Constitution stated that an independent and sovereign Kazakhstan is the result of only the Kazakh statehood, the result of actions and desires of the Kazakhs. This assertion has determined that the Constitution is ethnically oriented, which caused a lot of heated debates and conflicts in society, including political organizations, and NGOs. The site in the preamble, which identified Kazakhstan as monoethnical state, respectively, reduced the political situation, the role of other nations of Kazakhstan, thus reduced the political role of the languages of other ethnic groups.
One of the most controversial articles of the Constitution was the question of state language, an old, long-standing problem in Kazakhstan.
In Soviet times, the government neglected and reduced the role of the Kazakh language, which led to a situation when knowledge of a Kazakh language dropped almost completely (30-40% among the Kazakh people). Independence in 1991, gave ample opportunity to resolve the problems of the Kazakh language, for its revival and development. At least, for that moment, the right solution for enhancing the role of the Kazakh language in state and society was to adopt it as the official language in the Constitution.
The text of the first Constitution of 1993 claimed that «In the Republic Kazakhstan a state language is the Kazakh language. Russian is language of international communication. Restriction of the rights and freedom of citizens by sign not possession of a state language or language of international dialogue is forbidden [1] the Republic Kazakhstan provides free functioning of Russian, along with state language. The right of use of a native language is guaranteed to citizens” [1]. The concept «international language» was used in terms of interethnic communication between different nationalities in Kazakhstan. Thus, the second largest language, Russian, had no official status or official recognition. This rule caused widespread discontent among the citizens of Kazakhstan — Russians in origin. Various non-governmental, Slavic, Russian organizations, through public hearings and gathering signatures of the population, have tried to establish in the Constitution state status for Russian.
Most contemporary scholars and political observers have concluded that, along with economic, social challenges, the protracted process of creating and implementing the language policy was one of the reasons for the high emigration of Russian-speaking population from Kazakhstan.
Demographic changes in Kazakhstan were very serious and significant. Emigrants from Kazakhstan were mostly Russian, Germans, Ukrainians and Belarusians, mostly Russian speaking population of Kazakhstan. Besides that, during the political, economic and social reforms in the early 90’s there was a deep economic crisis which also influenced the process of emigration.
Various political and legal shortcomings of the 1993 Constitution became reasons to adopt a new Constitution. President of the Republic, Nursultan Nazarbaiev, after a lengthy national debate, presented in 1995 his own draft constitution to the people, political parties, civil society and international organizations. Articles about the Kazakh nation, self-determination of the Kazakh people were excluded from the new Constitution. Much attention was paid to the language issue (Article 7). Kazakh language was adopted as the state language and Russian language has equal official status in official state institutions and local governments.
“1. The state language of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be the Kazak language.
2. In state institutions and local self-administrative bodies the Russian language shall be officially used on equal grounds along with the Kazak language.
3. The state shall promote conditions for the study and development of the languages of the people of Kazakhstan” [3].
The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan was adopted at the all-national referendum on August 30, 1995, and amended on May 21, 2007.
Kazakhstan’s Constitution fixes that both Kazakh and Russian are officially used in state and local government institutions. The state takes care of learning and development of the languages of the population of Kazakhstan. Discrimination on the grounds of language is not allowed. Everyone has the right to use his native language and freely choose the language of communication, education and creativity. Under the Constitution, knowledge of the Kazakh language to work in the public service is not required, but preferred. Only the President and the Chairmen of Upper House of Parliament, Senate and Lower House of Parliament-Majelis are required to know the state language.
The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan” adopted in 1997 by President Nazarbayev fixes complete and overall bilingualism in all spheres of Kazakhstan. Both Kazakh and Russian are used in governmental organizations, local government institutions, documentation of state and governmental institutions, courts, military, science; names of state institutions, labels of goods, and, in general, in all texts of visual information. Moreover, both Russian and other languages may be used in areas of compact residence of ethnic groups [4]. In addition the Law fixes special opportunities in financial center of Kazakhstan – Almaty city. English is the third official language for the implementation of economic and financial relations, contracts with foreign companies and firms in the city of Almaty. Thus Kazakhstan has all important and major constitutional and legislative bases which fix language diversity, bilingualism, protect interests, rights of ethnic groups and minorities.
In Kazakhstan there are various governmental, non-governmental, public and international institutions for the protection and development of languages. They are responsible for the implementation of different national, regional programs, projects of language learning, development, and promotion of culture and traditions of ethnic groups in Kazakhstan. The most famous public institution is the Assembly of people Kazakhstan. It brings together all the major ethnic and cultural centers in the country. According to the Constitution of Kazakhstan, Assembly delegates its representatives to serve as deputies to the lower House of Parliament. Parliamentary quota allows ethnic groups to be necessarily represented in the legislative power (Sultanov, 2009).
It is important to note that in 2010 Kazakhstan chairmanships in OSCE. One reason for this was the highest achievements, progress in language policy and interethnic relations. Constitutional, normative, institutional bases became real state, political mechanisms to stabilize and implement efficient interethnic relations in republic.
3. PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES OF THE LANGUAGE POLICY
Despite the successes, it is difficult to say that the language problem in Kazakhstan is completely solved. The basic problem is the lack of a strategy. All stages in the brief history of the language policy of independent Kazakhstan show the absence of a strategic direction for the implementation (Malinin, 2002; Kozirev, 2009).
These problems have led to wrong and hasty decisions on the state level. It was clear to the government and society that it is urgently needed to raise the status of the Kazakh language. But level of understanding of practical approaches, tools, unfortunately, was not enough to do it.
There are different public opinions on the state status and political relevance of the two major languages of Kazakhstan: Kazakh and Russian. There are two main viewpoints on the topic:
— From the first point of view, the situation of the Kazakh-Russian bilingualism should be considered only as an emergency measure during the transition period. The strategic goal is giving Kazakh the status of state language and communication tool of the vast majority of citizens. Kazakh monolingualism is the ultimate goal. But this goal is only supported by the power, government and is the main goal of the Kazakh national-patriotic organizations. Most of the Russian-speaking population of the country strongly oppose such a future, and call it as a totally radical variant of the future.
— From the second, current Kazakh and Russian bilingualism should be retained. Both languages must fully comply with all the social functions in the state. Kazakh and Russian languages do not have to compete and displace each other, and both will have their own place in society. Because of ethnic, national, territorial diversity, bilingualism should be the norm of the language situation. Supporters of this view argue that monolingualism is a radical measure that would lead to mass emigration of Russian and Russian-speaking population and would rise also conflicts on the basis of language.
Obviously, both directions represent a challenge for the country and its people. Each option requires time, state and community efforts, funding and power support. Both options have their supporters and opponents among the society, NGOs, media and political parties, but only the first one has an official, state and presidential support [5].
Analyzing both points of view can be confirmed that each one has its advantages. However it must be remembered that Kazakhstan is a unitary republic, without self-ruled areas or districts. The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan also confirms that the creation and existence of selfmanaged areas is unconstitutional and contrary to national security and sovereignty. It is obvious that in a unitary state, only the first direction is politically and legally realistic and possible. The practical equality of the two languages in one republic is impossible, since the majority language will still prevail and grow.
There are other arguments which are used to support the first option — Kazakh as the state and the native language of the majority of the population. First, territorial. Kazakhstan is a large country with most of cities and districts (and its population) isolated from the continuous monitoring of center. There are many towns, districts and villages where ethnic groups live compact and isolated. Kazakh language is still not dominant in the major regions and cities in northern and eastern part of the territory. To prevent raising of separatism and linguistic isolation of regions, the only solution is the dominance and of the Kazakh language as a state and as a tool of interethnic communication in the country. That would help preserving the unity of territory and would guarantee the building of a single civic nation.
4. POLITICAL RISKS OF MODERN LINGUISTIC SITUATION IN KAZAKHSTAN
Modern linguistic situation in Kazakhstan is stable and sustainable. Kazakhstan has two official languages, which are on equal terms and with almost equal status are used in various spheres of society-political, economic and other relations. Kazakh and Russian languages on an equal constitutional, legal right to develop and protected by the laws of the country. Modern situation of bilingualism, equal official status of both languages show a harmonic picture, but modern linguistic situation has future political risks of the linguistic unity and stability in the country.
From the first, there is complete and overall dominance of the Russian language. It is currently the most popular language among citizens of Kazakhstan. Currently, the Russian language is dominating in all spheres of social, public, political, economic and scientific relations between people and in the media, and in international relations. Russian language is almost completely conducting the role of interethnic communication tool for the most citizens. Russian language is dominant especially in big cities. North and East Kazakhstan are almost completely using Russian as lingua franca.
From the second, overall dominance of Russian language in society lasts in situation when Kazakh language, the language of the ethnic majority, needs support from the state and society. The linguistic space of Kazakhstan has a serious process of reducing interest of young people to learn and speak on the Kazakh language. The Kazakh language is not lingua franca even among the Kazakh people itself.
There are many laws and the government programs on the language policy in republic which prove existence of problem of low interest among people, to study and to develop the knowledge on the Kazakh language. The latest government program of development of the Kazakh language in
Kazakhstan is — State program of functioning and development of languages for 2011-2020 (Gosudarstvennaia programma funkcionirovania I razvitia ijazikov na 2011-2020 godi)[6]. It affirms that there are serious problems of the study and distribution of the Kazakh language in society. It was planned that in 2020 95% of the population needs to know and speak the Kazakh language. There is currently no more than 60% of the population speak or know the Kazakh language.
From the third, economic reason is the most significant reason for the weak interest of young people to explore and develop knowledge of the Kazakh language. Competition for jobs, better education represents the highest demands for young people. Future success in work, career development, training opportunities in Russia, Eastern Europe, determines the necessity of knowledge of Russian. Much of the information on such promising areas as nuclear, computer, nano technology, textbooks on medicine, legal, economic, political and other subjects are primarily in Russian, English. From the fourth, there are many government programs that aim to develop and support teaching the Kazakh language, but which do not have high results and not so effective. One of the main reasons of the low efficiency of state language programs is the high level of corruption among some government officials and agencies.
For example, during the conduction of population census in Kazakhstan, had been stolen or inefficiently expended some state finances. Thus in May 2009 Vice-president of Agency for Statistics has been arrested for waste of the budgetary funds assigned for general population census of the country.
According to the chairman of the State Agency for Combating Economic and Corruption Crimes (Financial Police) from 1.144 billion tenge allocated budget funds only 379 million tenge were spent on conducting the census. The remaining 764.8 million tenge were stolen by a criminal group, which included government officials and directors of private enterprises [7].
From the fifth, the importance of urgent implementation of the new language policy in Kazakhstan is determined by several problems that occur now in society. The most serious socio-linguistic problem in society is increasing separation among young people who only speak Kazakh or Russian language, which is clearly seen from the newspapers, articles in which Kazakh speaking journalists apply only to its Kazakh speaking audience. In addition there are growing part of the Russian speaking youth who do not know and can not even understand the Kazakh language, and they have no desire and reasons to learn the language.
Globalization and open information boundaries, yet another new objective pressure on the Kazakh language, which is reflected in the growing influence of English language on the Kazakh youth. And they objectively know about the fact, that the success and prosperity in work, in reception of good education depend on knowledge of foreign languages, but not from knowledge only the Kazakh language. Mobility and success mean now knowledge of foreign languages as English, Spanish or Chinese languages.
All these factors indicate, that the current bilingualism in Kazakhstan is objective result, which will continue to grow without regulation of this process within the limits of government language policy.
It is obvious that Kazakhstan needs adequate and effective language policy.
These factors are the main possible reasons which can create political risks of linguistic instability which would interfere with uniting people together into a single, unified civil nation.
Division of society on linguistic grounds, the most dangerous factor of linguistic separation and increase linguistic break up between citizens of one country.
It is possible to claim that this is more than a linguistic problem, but threat for linguistic stability and unity in Kazakhstan.
The situation will not change itself; Kazakhstan needs a new language policy, effective mechanisms for learning and development of the Kazakh language among the population. Of course an increase in knowledge and learning the Kazakh language does not mean the limitation the role of the Russian language. Russian language, like English give youth an opportunity to learn the Russian world, culture. Russian is the language of world class, allowing all citizens to obtain information, develop and get an education abroad. It is become impossible even to imagine and present Kazakhstan without Russian language. The problem is not Russian itself, but in the reality that citizens of one country speak different languages. Division of society into the Russian-speaking and Kazakh-speakers — this is a danger to the future of the country and its unity. Division of society by language poses a real danger when citizens of one country do not understand each other and coexist in a different language spaces and not related, do not have contacts to each other.
5. TWO OPTIONS IN RESOLVING LINGUISTIC POLICY
There are two, but the most real options for addressing the issue of language policy, and preserve the unity, to ensure the future stability of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
For the first, the Kazakh language should become the language of interethnic relations in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh language should dominate in society. For this purpose the modern language policy should be changed. It should include realization of national programs for research of the Kazakh language by all citizens, without restrictions of programs of studying of Russian. Modern bilingualism in the state and a society should be changed on Kazakh monolingualism. One dominating language for all becomes a primary factor of building of the united civil nation. In turn, it becomes a primary factor to contradict language, territorial split in a society.
The second variant consists in keeping current bilingualism where the Russian dominates. The Kazakh language will remain the state official language, but will not be widespread in society. Moreover, insufficient support from the state will reduce further distribution and development of the Kazakh language.
It is necessary to choose one of the two of variants for the further development and carrying out of a language policy in Kazakhstan. The situation becomes complicated because each of variants has the support in a society, among the population and politicians.
The implementation of each option is quite difficult in the current linguistic situation and processes in society. The first option is theoretically possible, although it is also very difficult technically and involves high social risks. Implementation of the second option, only in the form of a scientific experiment at the moment would be disastrous for Kazakh language and ethnos.
6. POSSIBILITIES OF FORMATION OF MONOLINGUAL KAZAKHSTAN
The increase in a role of the Kazakh language, expansion of space of its use, is the main decision for strengthening of unity, preservation of interethnic stability in republic. It is important to mention that the current demographic, linguistic, political, educational processes in the country contribute to the conduction of this strategic goal. Modern situation in comparison with the beginning of the 90s significantly changed, in order to forming and implementing a new language policy that will lead to the ultimate goal, when the Kazakh language will act as inter-ethnic, and language of the vast majority in practice. There are many factors that can predict the success of shaping the future of Kazakhstan, as a monolingual civic nation.
1) For the first, the demographic processes in Kazakhstan show the considerable changes that determine that the Kazakh speaking population is growing, while the Russian-speaking population in Kazakhstan is reducing, due to objective processes. Birth rate among Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Germans, as elsewhere in the world is falling, while the Kazakh, Uzbek, Uighur families have 2 or more children. In addition, in the middle and late 90’s of the twentieth century in Kazakhstan, there was a huge emigration among Russians, Ukrainians, and Germans, which is currently small, but still continues today; in comparison with the Kazakh population, who prefer to stay in the country. In addition, there are significant processes of internal migration of the Kazakh people, especially youth, from the villages to big cities. In addition, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan supports the Kazakh population, who lives and is citizens of China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, in their desire to be citizens and to immigrate to Kazakhstan in accordance with the program — «oralman”.
2) For the second, geographical factor has become a serious basis for the occurrence of the Kazakh language majority. Geographic presence of Kazakh speaking population has changed significantly in recent years. Kazakh population is growing rapidly in most of the key northern and eastern regions and in large cities such as Almaty, Astana, and the percentage of Kazakhs are still rising compared with the early 90’s, when the Kazakhs were a minority in those areas. Almost equal presence of the Kazakh population in all regions of Kazakhstan stabilizes interethnic relations and the situation, and this prevents any possible separatist opinions and actions.
3) For the third, there is a huge generation of young people in Kazakhstan who have gained education and training in the Kazakh language, in the Kazakh schools and universities since independence. Mostly from rural and suburban areas, these youth are willing to study and work using Kazakh and Russian languages. In comparison to their parents, who were raised and grew up in Russian schools and universities, they are fluent in both languages. This young generation connects their future and success with Kazakh, Russian and foreign languages. Moreover, they are very critically concern to a situation when their compatriots do not speak on-Kazakh. They speak in two or three languages and are capable to stop language division of a society. The new generation of youth which freely speaks in several languages, will be as the mechanism of realization of an ultimate goal of a language policy — the Kazakh language is the language of majority.
4) An important factor acting in the same direction is the growing influence and professionalism of the media, television channels broadcasting on the Kazakh language compared to the Soviet period, when the Kazakh speaking-writing journalists were working basically only as interpreters from the official Russian language. Well as modern secondary, higher education on the Kazakh language corresponds to the modern requirements of preparation of students and scientists, and it allows to prepare the new generation of Kazakh speaking youth for the implementation of state and social programs in the country and society. Despite the fact that Kazakh language did not became completely dominant in society, but its scope has expanded significantly through education, broadcasting, massmedia and public policy. In this sense, there is a great influence of popular culture, which expands the space of the Kazakh language. New Kazakh songs, music, television programs, actors and singers have become the most powerful force in the dissemination and expansion of the Kazakh language among young people, especially in rural and countryside areas.
Thus it is possible to summarize that Kazakhstani society, elites, political parties and power faces difficult challenges in linguistic sphere which demand definite decision and choosing right variant between two.
The first option is to preserve the current bilingual language situation, where Russian is the dominant language of the majority and where the Kazakh language has state status with limited circulation. This variant is simple, but will have catastrophic consequences for the future of Kazakhstan and for the Kazakh language. There is a second option where the Kazakh language is a real practical tool for cooperation and relations of all citizens, of the majority. This variant is more difficult, but it accords with the strategic tasks to strengthen and preserve the sovereignty and unity of the republic.
Obviously, the language policy in Kazakhstan should be aimed to achieving the ultimate goal. And within a strategic and long-term forecasting, the Kazakh language as the language of the majority should increase its role and distribution in Kazakhstan. The realization of this ultimate goal will be a very difficult task for government and society, but it should be started as fast as it is possible. It is clear that the second option requires participation of all political, public organizations and the efforts of government and others, but basic success depends on Kazakh, Russian people and other ethnic groups. Significant responsibility lays upon youth, on implementation of youth, educational policy of government. The youth is the main object of a policy of the state in increase in their knowledge in the Kazakh language.
It is clear that significant and major efforts must be done by and among the Kazakh population, youth who do not know or never spoke Kazakh before.
The question about the future and preserving the Kazakh language is a question of stability and unity of Kazakhstan. Delaying the implementation of language policy is dangerous situation that can lead to uncertainty and loss of confidence of the public for their future and their language. People want to be sure that the Kazakh and Russian languages will be protected by government, by law and will co-exist together without any tensions.
7. CONCLUSION
It is obvious that in Kazakhstan, on the direction and ultimate goal of language policy are the two most clear views and positions among the public, political elites and political organizations. The first point supposes the preservation of modern linguistic situation — bilingualism in Kazakhstan at the state and community level without significant changes. This position provides for the continuation of the overwhelming influence in the society of the Russian language, which performs the major role of the mechanism of intercommunication, information dissemination in Kazakhstan. Under these conditions, the Kazakh language — the language of the titular ethnos, majority, which has limited distribution, will be constantly under pressure from the domination of the Russian language and the danger of extinction. The second option calls for the need to enhance the practical role of the Kazakh language. Most of Kazakhstan’s population must be fluent in Kazakh. The analysis showed that the most appropriate, from the viewpoint of the country’s future stability and unity of society, need only be the second option. Only Kazakh as interethnic language would create a unified civil society. Currently, there are already two separate societies that speak different languages.
But this option should include the most important thing — the Russian language should be preserved and develop freely in Kazakhstan. Russian language enriches and contributes to the success of every citizen. But the inculcation of the Kazakh language is impossible to carry out by radical measures. The first step should be a mandatory study of Kazakh language for school children. School children must have the knowledge and skills to be fluent in Kazakh language. Adult population need state, social help in their desire to learn languages: books, textbooks, advanced interactive technologies. A big role in achieving this target lies with the media. TV channels should have their broadcasting professionals, interesting, exciting sport, news, culture, discovery programs, especially for youth, on the Kazakh language. It is clear — that the future of the Kazakh language depends on the actions of the Kazakh people, from their desire to speak native language.
1. The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. – Almaty, 1993. Ошибка! Недопустимый объект гиперссылки.>
2. The Statistics Agency of Kazakhstan. http://www.stat.kz/p_perepis/Pages/n_04_02_10.aspx
3. The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted at the republican referendum on August 30, 1995, as amended on May 21, 2007. http://www.constcouncil.kz/rus/norpb/constrk/
4.The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan” N 151-I. http://www.pavlodar.com/zakon/?dok=00054
5. Speech by President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev at the XIV session of the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan (2008). Official site of executive power of Kazakhstan. http://citypavlodar.gov.kz/index.php?do=cat&category=38
6.Gosudarstvennaia programma funkcionirovania I razvitia ijazikov na 2011-2020 godi. Speech by President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev at the XIV session of the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan (2008). Official site of executive power of Kazakhstan. http://city-pavlodar.gov.kz/index.php?do=cat&category=38
7.Informational agency of Kazakhstan. http://www.nomad.su/?a=13-200906040334
8.Cummings Sally. Kazakhstan: Power and the Elite. — London: Tauris, 2002.
9. George Alexandra. Journey into Kazakhstan: The True Face of the Nazarbayev Regime. — Lanham: University Press of America, 2001.
10. Kozirev T.A. Linguistic situation in modern Kazakhstan: in the middle of ford. Materials of science practical conference. — Almaty, 2009: KISI. – P.67-76.
Түйін
Мақалада Қазақстан Республикасының халықтарының тілдерді дамыту мен қорғау жағдайы зерттеледі. Республика тəуелсіздігі кезеңінен бері мемлекеттік тіл саясаты көптеген өзгерістерден өтіп, оның қазіргі ахуалы бойынша талдау жасалынады. Қазақ тілінің мемлекеттік мəртебесіне иеленуі, қазақ тілінің өсіп өркендеуіне оң ықпал етті. Бірақ ендігі кезде экономикалық, əлеуметтік, əлемдік жаһандану процестері, қазақ тілінің Қазақстан қоғамындағы қолданулу процесіне айрықша əсер етеді. Оған қоса қазіргі Қазақстанның тілдері ахуалы, тілдер мəртебесі мен қазақ тілі болашағы қоғамдағы ең көкейкесті мəселерінің бірі болып саналады.
Резюме
Данная статья рассматривает сложный процесс развития языковой ситуации в Республике Казахстан. За время суверенитета и укрепления независимости произошли важные изменения в языковой политике государства по развитию и защите языков народов Казахстана. Языковые процессы в стране претерпевают важные изменения трансформации в повышении роли и места казахского языка, как государственного языка. Современные экономические, демографические, глобальные глобализационные процессы в стране значительно влияют на темпы изучения и использования казахского языка в обществе. Языковая ситуация остается сложным вопросом, который требует постоянного внимания со стороны государства и общества.