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0POLITICAL AND LEGAL ANALYSIS OF KAZAKHSTAN'S LANGUAGE POLICY.
KASSYMBAYEV ARMAN SHORAEVICH
PhD student of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Abstract: This article analyzes the political and legal status of languages in Kazakhstan. The paper considered the language policy starting from the period of the collapse of the USSR and ending with the modern period of development of Kazakhstan. Number of international legal acts and covenants that have been ratified have been studied. In addition, the article analyzed the key law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan".
Keywords: language policy, language, law on languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Russian language, Kazakh language.
The independence gained after the collapse of the USSR allowed the Central Asian states to consolidate their linguistic changes in new constitutions. New laws were passed that made the titular languages official and defined Russian as the language of interethnic communication. Since 1991, research has focused on the revitalization of the languages of Central Asia. The process of de-Russification also began when non-Russian peoples began to replace seven decades of Russification with linguistic nativization. The independent states of Central Asia were forced to develop their titular languages to build a national identity. Moreover, a monolingual language policy was defined, which was created to build a nation to neutralize centuries-old linguistic changes and unite the Kazakh people into a single nation. The idea of reviving the titular language and building national identity through the restoration of the "native language" became the cause of linguistic nationalism, which was strengthened to ensure nation-building through the management of linguistic processes.
The implementation of a language policy based on respect and protection of the linguistic rights of all population groups is a prerequisite for ensuring equality and justice in society. This includes not only access to education, the judicial and cultural resources in the mother tongue, but also the creation of conditions for the preservation and development of linguistic diversity and cultural identity. Understanding and respecting this issue is a key issue to promote peaceful coexistence and the development of diverse linguistic and cultural communities in Kazakhstan.
The political and legal analysis of language policy in Kazakhstan requires consideration of a combination of legislative norms, government measures and political strategies aimed at regulating the use of languages in various spheres of public life. Considering the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan can be concluded that the main goal of language policy in Kazakhstan is to create a harmonious multilingual society where all languages and cultures are recognized and respected [Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Article No. 7]:
"The Kazakh language is the official language in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Russian is officially used in state organizations and local governments along with Kazakh. The state takes care of creating conditions for the study and development of the languages of the people of Kazakhstan."
Language policy in Kazakhstan affects various spheres of public life, including the definition of official languages and their status, the use of languages in the education system, in public institutions and in everyday public communication. Article 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan states that the law provides a constitutional procedure for the protection of the State language, as well as human and civil rights and freedoms related to language. This means that the law protects the rights and freedoms associated with the use of language. Article 22 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan defines the state language of Kazakhstan and establishes that its status is determined by constitutional law. In addition, every citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan has the right to use his native language along with the state language.
It should also be noted that Kazakhstan, as a member of the United Nations and other international organizations, has signed and ratified number of international norms and obligations related to the regulation of language processes. First, the "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights", in which Kazakhstan guarantees the right to freedom of expression and the right of everyone to use their native language in public and cultural life [1]. Moreover, Kazakhstan has also signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees the right of children to education in their native language and the right to preserve their cultural and linguistic identity [2]. Moreover, Kazakhstan, not being a member of the Council of Europe, supports and complies with the "European Charter for Regional or National Minority Languages". This charter is an international standard in the field of protection and support of regional or national minority languages [3]. Compliance with these international norms and obligations sets Kazakhstan the task of developing and implementing a language policy that protects the rights of all linguistic groups in the country, ensuring equal access to education, the judicial system, cultural resources and other spheres of public life in their native language.
As part of our analysis, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on "On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan" should be considered. This law ensures the harmonious coexistence of multilingualism in Kazakhstan, promoting respect and the development of diversity of languages and cultures in the country. Starting from the first article of the law "On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan", it can be concluded that this article defines the goals and basic principles of language policy in Kazakhstan, including respect and protection of the linguistic rights of citizens, support for multilingualism and cultural diversity. However, the second article establishes Kazakh and Russian as the official languages of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This ensures equality of status and protection of the rights of citizens who speak these languages. The law also regulates the actions of government agencies and public organizations. Thus, the law insists that State bodies and public organizations use official languages in carrying out their activities. This contributes to ensuring citizens' access to the services of State and public institutions in their native language.
The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on "On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan" regulates educational processes in the context of language processes. The Law enshrines the right of citizens to education in their native language and establishes rules for the use of official languages in the education system. This is important for the preservation and development of linguistic diversity and cultural identity. In addition, the law, in turn, defines the rules for the use of official languages in the media, which contributes to ensuring access to information in various languages and strengthening a multilingual society.
The Law defines the legal status of regional languages and establishes measures for their protection and development. This is important to maintain cultural diversity and respect for the linguistic traditions of various ethnic groups.
This analysis provides a better understanding of the structure and content of the Law "On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan" and its role in supporting harmonious multilingualism in the country. Each article of the law has its own meaning and is aimed at ensuring equality of linguistic rights and promoting the development of cultural diversity in society.
Language processes and their control occupy an important place in the state policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Language policy is becoming the most important direction in the development of Kazakhstan since it reflects the intention to strengthen self-identification and strengthen the state language of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Along with this, in the state program for the development and functioning of languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020-2025. During the meeting of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, former head of State N.A. Nazarbayev put forward the concept of the trinity of languages. Within the framework of this message, the need to introduce a system of three languages was noted. The trinity of languages has become a response to the challenges of modern globalization. In this regard, a policy of gradual implementation of the three-language system was
ОФ "Международный научно-исследовательский центр "Endless Light in Science"
proposed. This idea was based on the need for an internal policy, which was supposed to form a language policy for the coming years for the development of the language landscape. According to this draft, every citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan should speak three languages: English, Kazakh and Russian. This innovation was supposed to ensure the competitiveness of citizens. This will provide immense opportunities for self-realization for a person, help him significantly expand his horizons and become as useful to his country as possible. This position of the president is particularly clear from the point of view of global challenges. Today, knowledge of languages helps to obtain diverse and versatile information using the Internet, establish business contacts, conclude profitable contracts, adequately represent Kazakhstan on the world stage in any field of activity [4, p. 490].
In his last message to the people of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of the harmonious functioning of languages in Kazakhstan: "As for languages, you know my position. I am absolutely tolerant, because of my profession, I have studied many languages. But now it's not about me, the fact is that according to the Constitution, the Kazakh language is our official language. According to the Constitution, the Russian language is used in our country on an equal basis with the state language, performing the functions of the official language. Therefore, there are no contradictions here. As convenient as it is necessary to say. Now our youth speaks the state language, Russian, and other languages. And that's a good thing. To stir up hysteria and even more so to fight against it, as has happened in some countries, is nonsense. You can see for yourself what happened to them in the end. We don't need that. So let's be smart "[5].
1. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Adopted by General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI) of December 16, 1966.
2. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Adopted by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of November 20, 1989.
3. European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ETS No. 148). ETS No. 148. Strasbourg 05/11/1992 - Treaty open for signature by the member States and for accession by non-member States.01/03/1998 (5 Ratifications.)
4. Uskenbayeva S. T. language policy in the context of globalization and its impact on education. The Lavrov Collection. Materials of the XXXIV and XXXV Central Asian-Caucasian readings, 2011. P. 489 - 491.
5. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's State of the Nation Address, September 2, 2019.
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