Language Policies in Central Asia
 

Kazakhstan

Introduction

In English

In Russian

 

The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, The Parliament

The state language is Kazakh. 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. The President and the deputies of the Senate and Majelis are required to know the state language. Local legislative and executive bodies have to guarantee all citizens free learning of the state language.

In English

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N 151 – 1, Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan, 07/11/97, President N. Nazarbayev

Kazakh is required for: traditional Kazakh titles (+ transliteration), texts of governmental seals and stamps; in certain professions (including deputies of the Senate and Majelis; the President).

Both Kazakh and Russian are used in: governmental organizations, local government institutions, documentation of state and governmental institutions, constitutional documentation, arbitration courts, military, field of science (including defense of dissertations); names of state institutions, texts of seals and stamps regardless of the form of ownership, labels of goods, all texts of visual information.

Either Kazakh or Russian may be used in postal-telegraphic messages and customs documentation.

Both Russian and other languages (if necessary) may be used in localities of compact residence of ethnic groups in: documentation of non-governmental institutions, courts, documentation of administrative offences, contracts of individuals and legal entities, responses of governmental and non-governmental institutions to requests of citizens, paper forms, information signs, announcements, advertisements, price catalogs and lists; pre-school institutions, orphanages; high, vocational and higher education; cultural events; press, radio and TV programs (amount of broadcasting in Kazakh must be not lesser than in other languages. For non-numerous and not compactly residing ethnic groups: classes, extracurricular activities, Sunday schools.

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

N 2995, Order On the Conception of the Formation of State Identity of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 05/23/96, President N. Nazarbayev

The state has to take care of learning and developing the languages of the Kazakhstan’s population. Discrimination on the basis of not knowing the state or other languages is not allowed. Voluntary learning of the state language is to be stimulated, its role increased. Practical work must be transferred to periphery.

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N 2694, Constitutional Decree On Courts and the Status of Judges in the Republic of Kazakhstan, 12/20/95, President N. Nazarbayev

Both Kazakh and Russian are official in the courts of the Republic; the language of the majority residing in the given locality may also be used.

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N 2368, Decree On Customs in the Republic of Kazakhstan, 07/20/95, President

N. Nazarbayev

Either Kazakh or Russian may be used in customs documentation.

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

N 1, Model Contract On State Support for Investment in Priority Sectors of Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 03/21/97, State Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Investments

The given contract has to be in Kazakh and Russian for the investor of Kazakhstan; in Kazakh or Russian and English - for a foreign investor. In both cases the documents have equal juridical power.

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N 2737, Order On the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 12/29/95, President N. Nazarbayev

Either Kazakh or Russian may be used in constitutional documentation; translation into other languages is guaranteed.

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Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Education, 01/18/92, The Parliament

Educational institutions have to take part in active learning, use and development of the Kazakh as a state language throughout the territory of the Republic as well as grant free learning of Russian.

Numerous and compactly residing ethnic minorities must be granted the conditions for founding state or state-supported educational institutions; for conducting lessons in their native language.

For non-numerous and not compactly residing ethnic groups classes, extracurricular activities and Sunday schools may be founded.

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N 108, Decision On the Procedure of Making of a Model Contract for Operations for Extracting Natural Resources, 01/27/1997, The Government

The given contract has to be in Kazakh and Russian (other languages) and all copies are identical. The contracting parties may decide on the language of communication.

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Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan On the Internal Military Forces of the Interior Ministry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 06/23/92, The Parliament

Orders and documentation in the military as well as official correspondence must be performed in the state language as well as the language of international communication.

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Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan On the Procedure of Settling of Economic Disputes by Arbitration Courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 02/17/92, The Parliament

Documentation in arbitration courts of the Republic has to be performed in Kazakh and Russian. Individuals who do not know either of the languages have the right to get acquainted with the case and take part in the actions of the arbitration court with the help of translator; to speak in his native language.

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N 343, Order "On the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan, 05/04/98, Minister B. Muhamedjanov Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan

All acts of the Ministry have to be passed in the state language (along with the translation into Russian). Documentation has to be performed in both Kazakh and Russian languages. Responses to the requests of citizens and organizations have to be in Kazakh or in the language of interethnic communication. Seals and stamps have to bear titles only in Kazakh. Free learning of the state language has to be guaranteed to the employees of the Ministry and the judiciary. Postal-telegraphic messages within the boundaries of the Republic may be in Kazakh and Russian.

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N 51, Decision On the Implementation of the State Program for Development of the Kazakh and Other Ethnic Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan until the Year 2000, 01/21/92, The Cabinet of Ministers

Regional and city governments are to guarantee the use of Kazakh as the state language; to present timetable for introducing Kazakh in official documentation; to employ Kazakh translators in official institutions; renew country-wide teaching of Kazakh. Creation of the Foundation for Development of Languages to be fostered. Ministry of Labor is to present the list of job positions in which the knowledge of Kazakh and Russian is required. Ministries of Education, of Publishing and Information and the Academy of Science are to provide educational institutions with readers and methodical literature in Kazakh, to expand issuing Kazakh dictionaries and learning materials. Ministry of Justice is to prepare the rules for declaring the languages of ethnic groups as official in places of their compact residence.

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Treaty Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Legal Status of the Citizens of the Russian Federation, permanently residing in the Territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Permanently Residing in the Territory of the Russian Federation, 01/20/95, Moscow

In English

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Kyrgyzstan

Introduction

In English

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

 

The Constitution of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan

05/05/93, Supreme Soviet (Parliament of the Kyrgyz SSR)

Declares Kyrgyz language as the state language of the republic.

In English

 

 

Law of the Kyrgyz SSR On State Language of the Kyrgyz SSR,

09/23/89, Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR

Establishes Kyrgyz language as a state language. The Law contains 40 articles dealing with rights of citizens to choose/use language and guarantees for protection of such rights, establishing frameworks for operation of the state language in public authorities, enterprises, institutions, in spheres of education, science and culture, administration of justice. Regulates use of language in names and also in mass media. Special chapter for protection of the state language. Russian is provided with the status of the language of interethnical communication; also can be used in all above-mentioned spheres.

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

Resolution On Entering into Force of the Law of the Kyrgyz SSR On State Language of the Kyrgyz SSR, 09/23/89, Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR

 

Provides for the procedure of entering into force of the Law. Sets the special terms in respect to operation of the state language:

1) 1989-1998 - transitional period, when Russian and other languages can be used together with the state language;

2) 01/01/1999 - full operation of the state language.

Obliges Council of Ministers to allocate special funds for the financing arrangements, foreseen by the language policy, to create conditions for learning the state language, to start issuing documents in the state language, etc.

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

Decree #120 On Measures On Migration Processes Regulation in the Kyrgyz Republic, 06/14/94, President of the Kyrgyz Republic

Recognizes the language issue as one of the reasons of emigration, therefore, provides Russian with the status of official language in those entities, where majority of members are Russian-speakers, also in those spheres, where use of Russian is "inevitable" - health care, technical sciences, etc.

Obliges the Government to reconsider the staff recruitment policy with the aim of fair representation of Russian-speaking population in the governmental agencies, administrations of public enterprises and institutions; to reconsider the schedule of switching to the state language in public administration, etc.

 

Decision on Amending Article 5 of the Constitution of Kyrgyz Republic, 06/06/96, Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic

Gives the opinion on possibility of amending Article 5 of the Constitution in order to provide the status of official language to Russian.

 

Decree #21 On Further Development of the State Language of the Kyrgyz Republic, 01/20/98, President of the Kyrgyz Republic

Introduces a new concept of development of the state language with the creation of the special agency for its implementation - National Commission on the State Language under the auspices of the President, establishes the Fund for Development of the State Language, obliges the Government to allocate money for that in the republican budget.

 

Addendum #1 to the Decree #21 Concept of the Development of the State Language of the Kyrgyz Republic, 01/20/98, President of the Kyrgyz Republic

Introduces a new concept, which includes special strategies and priorities for development of the state language. Strategy - to create special conditions for learning language by the population at large with the particular attention on youth population.

Priorities set up those conditions necessary for carrying out the strategy - improvement of the legislation, undertaking special programs in order to improve the quality of teaching the state language, support for public broadcasting, publications in state language, propaganda of state language, etc.

 

Addendum #2 to the Decree #21, Regulations on the National Commission on the State Language under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, 01/20/98, President of the Kyrgyz Republic

 

Provides the powers, tasks and function of the National Commission, its structure.

 

Addendum #3 to the Decree #21, On Composition of the National Commission on the State Language, 01/20/98, President of the Kyrgyz Republic

Provides the composition of the National Commission - 21 members

 

Treaty between the Russian Federation and Kyrgyz Republic On Legal Status of Citizens of the Russian Federation Permanently Residing on the Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, and of Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic Residing Permanently on the Territory of the Russian Federation, 10/15/95, Bishkek

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

Law of the Russian Federation On Ratification of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic On Legal Status of Citizens of the Russian Federation Permanently Residing on the Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, and of Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic Residing Permanently on the Territory of the Russian Federation, 03/19/97, adopted by State Duma on February 21, 1997, approved by the Council of Federation

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Tajikistan

The Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan

In English

 

 

Turkmenistan

The Constitution of the Republic of Turkmenistan

Article 13 declares Turkmen as the state language and provides for the right of all citizens to us their native languages

In English

Law of the Turkmen SSR On Language, 05/20/90, Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen SSR

Establishes Turkmen language as a state language. The Law contains 36 articles dealing with rights of citizens to choose/use language and guarantees for protection of such rights, establishing frameworks for operation of the state language in public authorities, enterprises, institutions, in spheres of education, science and culture, administration of justice. Regulates use of language in names and also in mass media. Special chapter for protection of the state language. Russian is provided with the status of the language of interethnical communication; also can be used in all above-mentioned spheres. Articles 5, 6, 7, 8,17, 20, 21 and 23 contain special terms of final switching into state language in different spheres of social life.

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

Resolution On Transition to the New Alphabet of Turkmen Language in Educational Institutions, 09/29/94, President of Turkmenistan

Secures the transition to the new Turkmen alphabet in primary and secondary school beginning from 1995/96 academic year. Obliges the Ministry of Education, the Publishing Committee and the Ministry of Trade and Resources to arrange preparation and publishing textbooks in new alphabet, obliges the Ministry of Education and the State Professional Training Association "Senet" to start gradual transition, beginning from the January 1, 1996, to the new alphabet in all educational and professional training institutions, with a special attention to preparation of respective curricula and appropriate training of teachers and professors. Obliges the Ministry of Economy and Finance to allocate funds for the program. The overall supervision powers over the program are given to the State organizational Committee, created to implement the program.

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

The Agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan on the Legal Status of Russian Citizens, Permanently Resident in the Territory of Turkmenistan, and Citizens of Turkmenistan, Permanently Residing in the Territory of the Russian Federation, Signed by the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the States, to be ratified by the Parliaments of both States on 05/18/95

Made on the basis of the CIS Convention on Legal Aid and Co-operation, signed on 01/22/95. Regulates the legal status of citizens of one State, permanently residing in the territory of another. Establishes rules on issuance of special documents, proving the special status of this category of residents; provides for the limitation on employment in governmental agencies and participation in elections and referenda, regulates their rights in social and economic spheres, regulates their military service obligations, etc. The Agreement to be in force for 10 years. To be ratified by Parliaments. The Russian Federal Assembly ratified it on 11/25/96

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Uzbekistan

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Article 4 declares Uzbek as the state language. The Republic of Uzbekistan ensures a respectful attitude towards the languages, customs, and traditions of the nationalities and peoples living on its territory and ensures conditions for their development.

In English

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan On the State Language in the Republic of Uzbekistan, 12/21/95, The Parliament

Uzbek is required for: texts of governmental seals and stamps; texts in the paper forms of institutions, organizations, public unions; names of administrative-territorial units, streets, squares, geographic objects of the Republic.

Uzbek and Russian (if necessary) are used in: notaries.

Translation from Uzbek (if necessary) is performed in: legislative acts; documents and works of the state and governmental institutions; the courts.

Uzbek and other languages (if necessary) are used in: documentation of individual’s identity and rights; publishing; postal-telegraphic messages; information signs, announcements, advertisements, price catalogs and lists and other visual or verbal information; legal and financial documentation and accounting.

Uzbek and other languages (in localities of compact residence of ethnic groups) are used in: documents of local government institutions, pre-school institutions.

Uzbek and other languages are used in: radio and TV programs; labels of goods; instructions; requests of citizens to governmental organizations, institutions and public unions; secondary, special secondary, technical and higher education.

Any language may be used in: everyday life, interpersonal relations, writing names, performing religious and cult practice.

Comments: Art. 14 of the present law grants the right to issue requests to the governmental organizations, institutions and public unions in both Uzbek and other languages. However, this provision does not specify whether the individuals have a right to receive a reply in both Uzbek and other languages.

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

 

Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the State Language, 10/21/89, No.3561-XI

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

Differences between the Law on the State Language of 1989 and the Law on the State Language of 1995

  • The Law of 1989 begins with an introduction that stresses the importance of a language. The 1995 Law provides only specific, concrete provisions without statements of general nature.
  • The Law of 1989 states that the provisions of this law do not regulate the usage of language in the military. The Law of 1995 does not provide this possibility.
  • The 1989 Law guarantees the development and free usage of the Russian language as a language of international communication. The 1995 Law does not single out Russian.
  • The 1989 Law grants the right to issue requests to the governmental and public organizations and receive replies in the state language. The 1995 Law mentions only the right to issue requests in Uzbek, but does not grant the right to receive replies in the state language.
  • For a job in the service sphere, the 1989 Law requires a sufficient for their obligations knowledge of the state language. The 1995 Law does not provide such a requirement.
  • The 1989 Law provides that the scientific works can be defended in Russian and other languages. The 1995 Law does not contain such a provision.
  • The 1995 Law states that texts of seals and stamps have to be in the state language, whereas the 1989 Law provides that there must also be copies of such texts in Russian.

 

Decree On Entering into Force of the Law on State Language of the Republic of Uzbekistan in new Reading, 12/21/95, Head of Oliy Majelis of the republic of Uzbekistan Halilov, No. 168-I

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

Order On Amendments and Complements in the State Program on Realization of the Law On the State Language in the Uzbek Soviet Republic, 09/10/96, The Prime Minister K.Karimov

The Law "On the State Language in the Uzbek Soviet Republic" has to be amended. The ministries, governmental committees, associations, concerns, corporations and authorities must take measures to implement this state program on language policy. The State Commission on introducing the Uzbek alphabet is in control of the implementation of the given order.

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Decree On Entering into Force of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan On State Language, 10/21/89, No. 3563 – XI, Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan

In Russian (Word for Windows document)

 

The State Program on Granting the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan On the State Language, Attachment to the decree of the Council of Ministers of Uzbek SSR of 02/19/90 No 101 (in edition of Decree of Cabinet of Ministers of 09/10/96 No 311 )

 

Extracts:

- to begin the implementation of the amended Law on the State Language (mainly given to the discretion of the commisions, especially the commision on the introduction of a new Uzbek alphabet, based on the Latin script);

- to perform the explanatory and propaganda work among the population on the introduction of the Law on the State Language;

- to publish in mass circulation the "Comments on the Law on the State Language" in both Uzbek and Russian;

- to annually celebrate the Day of Uzbek Language;

- to establish a foundation of pedagogical programmatic means for teaching the Uzbek language with the use of computers;

- to introduce the automatic translation systems of scientific-technical texts in foreign languages into Uzbek;

- to expand the teaching of Uzbek in pre-school institutions and all types of secondary schools;

- to expand the training of qualified Uzbek language teachers for the higher education institutions;

- to perfect the study plans and programs as well as readers and methods for teaching the Uzbek language in pedagogic universities preparing Uzbek teachers for non-Uzbek schools;

- to expand teaching of Uzbek as a basic subject in the study plans and programs for all kinds of non-Uzbek schools and higher education institutions;

- to grant the practical help to the Uzbek population residing outside Uzbekistan in obtaining the educational-methodical, fiction and scientific-technical literature in the Uzbek language;

- to grant free teaching of Uzbek language for all citizens of Uzbekistan who do not speak Uzbek, regardless of the type of their activity and job position;

- to perfect the work of the Uzbek language departments of higher education institutions and to supply them with qualified personnel;

- to create original readers on the Uzbek language for the educational institutions of Uzbekistan;

- to elaborate and implement methods of intensive teaching of the Uzbek language and to publish the Uzbek language phrase-book;

- to organize annual the Olympics on the Uzbek language for the schoolchildren and students of all nationalities;

- to create conditions for learning the Uzbek alphabet based on Arabic script;

- to constantly organize national and inter-regional conferences on teaching the Uzbek language;

- to publish the legislative documents in Uzbek and, if necessary, in other languages;

- to provide for the adoption and promulgation of the documents of local governmental institutions in Uzbek and other languages in the places of compact residence of other nationalities;

-to introduce the statistical-financial documentation in Uzbek as well as in Russian.

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Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan On Amendments and Complements to the Law On State Language of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 12/21/95, President of Uzbekistan Karimov

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