Language policy and language in Central Asia

Abstract

This chapter looks at language policy and language change in Central Asia since the Gorbachev era. Due to space limitations, the focus will be limited to certain dynamics of diglossia involving Russian and titular languages of the former Central Asian republics. ‘Diglossia’ here will refer to the use of two languages under different conditions within each republic/state. More detail will be given to one country, Kazakhstan, with shorter treatment of the other four. The discussion will briefly examine the legal and policy framework underlying diglossia, the factors affecting policies and outcomes, and the changing domains of use of Russian and titular group languages of the Central Asian republics. Since the USSR’s collapse, languages not native to populations living in the former Soviet Union (especially English, Turkish, Chinese and Arabic) have taken on some functions previously filled by Russian. The examination below will briefly touch on the expanded role of English. Because of the close relation of diglossia to identity and because alphabet is also tied to identity, some developments concerning alphabet will also be highlighted.