Kazakhstan language – The official language of Kazakhstan is Kazakh, or Qazaq. It belongs to the Kipchak branch of the Turkic language family. It is related to the Nogai, Kyrgyz and Tatar languages. In addition to Kazakh, it is widely spoken in Russian and is used in many official and business contexts. The majority of Kazakhstan’s citizens are bilingual, speaking both Russian and Kazakh.
In Kazakhstan under the USSR, it was difficult to keep one’s mother tongue, and most of the younger generation learned Russian because it was more important at the time. This created a whole generation of Kazakhs who forgot their mother tongue and spoke only in Russian. After independence, the Kazakh government began to promote the use of Kazakh again, and today the results are impressive. But there is still a large group of Kazakhs who don’t speak Kazakh.
Discover Kazakhstan
Historical Background and Language Revival
During the era of the Soviet Union, the Russian language dominated public life, education, and government affairs. This resulted in a significant portion of the Kazakh population losing fluency in their mother tongue. Generations of Kazakhs grew up speaking Russian as their primary language, with Kazakh taking a backseat.
However, following independence in 1991, the Kazakh government took active measures to revive the use of Kazakh. Schools began teaching Kazakh as a mandatory subject, and there was an increased emphasis on broadcasting media in Kazakh. Although the revitalization efforts have shown impressive results, a considerable number of ethnic Kazakhs still do not speak Kazakh fluently.
Evolution of Kazakh Script
The writing system of the Kazakh language has evolved significantly over the years.
- Before 1925: Kazakhs primarily used the Arabic script, and most literature was written in Arabic.
- Under Soviet Influence: The script was changed to Cyrillic, which remains in use today.
- Modern Shift: In 2017, the first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, announced a transition to the Latin alphabet. This change aims to modernize the language and better integrate Kazakhstan into the global community. The new Latin-based alphabet comprises 32 letters and is expected to be fully adopted by 2025.
Vocabulary Influences and Dialects
The Kazakh language has absorbed a variety of influences over the centuries:
- Arabic and Persian due to historical interactions and Islamic influence.
- Russian from the Soviet era, especially for administrative, scientific, and technical terms.
- English for modern technological and cultural terms, reflecting globalization.
Kazakh also has several dialects, influenced by regional differences:
- Western Kazakhstan
- Southern Kazakhstan
- Eastern Kazakhstan
While these dialects have slight variations, they are mutually intelligible, and speakers across regions can easily understand each other.
Kazakh Language Beyond Kazakhstan
Kazakh is not limited to Kazakhstan alone. Millions of Kazakh speakers are scattered around the world, including:
- Northern Uzbekistan
- Southern Russia
- China’s Xinjiang province
- Western Mongolia
- Turkey and Germany (due to diaspora communities)
This widespread presence contributes to the richness and diversity of the Kazakh language.
Useful Kazakh Words and Phrases
If you are planning to visit Kazakhstan or simply want to learn more about the language, here are some useful phrases:
Greetings and Basic Conversations
- Hello: Salem
- Peace be upon you (Common greeting): Assalamu-aleikum
- How are you?: Khaliniz Khalai?
- What is your name?: Sizdin atiniz kim?
- My name is [Your Name]: Menin atim [Your Name].
- Thank you: Rakhmet
- Yes: Iya
- No: Zhok
Numbers in Kazakh
- 1 – Bir
- 2 – Eki
- 3 – Ush
- 4 – Turt
- 5 – Bes
- 6 – Alty
- 7 – Zheti
- 8 – Segiz
- 9 – Togys
- 10 – On
Embracing the Language
Kazakh culture is deeply rooted in its language, which reflects the country’s rich history, traditions, and values. Learning a few words in Kazakh not only enhances your travel experience but also builds a connection with the locals. You will be pleasantly surprised by the warm smiles and appreciation you receive for making an effort to speak their language.
Whether you are a traveler, a language enthusiast, or someone curious about Kazakhstan, embracing the Kazakh language opens doors to a world of fascinating cultural experiences.
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