Languages and Ethnic Politics in Central Asia: The Case of Kazakhstan *

Abstract

This paper addresses the significance of conciliatory language policies in defusing ethnic tension, especially between indigenous Kazakhs and ethnic Russians in Kazakhstan. The following language policies were identified as crucial to tolerant interethnic relations: the strategy to create divergent messages, the compromise of language titles, the soft policy on language requirements for employment and higher education, mild policy on ethnic-language ties, and the unified language policy. In the background of conciliatory language policies are the geographical aspect, the unavoidable real need for the use of Russian language, and the important role of the Russophones in running the country. Further comparative research in the former Soviet republics is suggested to confirm the findings of the current study regarding the effectiveness of language policies in making safe interethnic relations in Kazakhstan.

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