A Study Of Language Policies In Central Asian Countries In The Process Of Derussification

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the national independence,language policies in the five countries in Central Asia have experienced evolving stages of nationalization of the main language,state language and Russian language in parallel,Latinization of the main national language alphabet,and the promotion of English education.Despite variations in implementation strategies,all five countries have put principal effort in consolidating the status of main national language.Focusing on language policies in specifically two countries—Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,this paper studies the language ecology and the developments of language policies in these two countries after their national independence.The present study aims to answer three research questions:(1)how is the process of Derussification carried out in the language policy plannings in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan after their independence?(2)What are the main factors affecting the development of language policies in the two countries? And what is the future development of the Russian language in the region?(3)What are the similarities and differences in language policies of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan? And to what extent are these features reflective of the ongoing social changes in Central Asia?Findings of the present study are:(1)both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have experienced the development process from ‘unification’,to ‘dualization’,and to‘diversification’,in formulating national language policies.While Kazakhstan is more innovative and adaptive to international situations,promoting the modernization process of the nation;Uzbekistan is more ‘conservative’ as it pays more attention to the consolidation and expansion of main national language.(2)In formulating language policies,Central Asian countries are mainly affected by sociopolitical,economic,and geographical factors—which present both limitations and opportunities to the development of Russian language.(3)In terms of language status planning,both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are characterised by features of “Politicization” and“Derussification”.Specifically,Uzbekistan emphasises more on the authority of national language,and thus marginalizes Russian as well as it own minority languages.In terms of language ontology planning,both countries have transitioned to finalize the Latinization of the alphabet.Whilst Kazakhstan has adopted more moderate measures,Uzbekistan has chosen a national language writing system that juxtaposes both Latin and national writing letters.In terms of language acquisition planning,both countries are committed to maintaining consistency for the medium of instruction,among which Kazakhstan pays more attention to the development of English education.Comparison between language policies of two countries have revealed a gradual and profound process of “Derussification” at both national and social levels in Central Asia.Derussification is thus more than a concern of language planning—it is also a necessity in transforming a modernized country and reconstructing the state and the nation.Focusing on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as two typical cases from Central Asia,this paper conducts a comparative study on language policies and Latinization process in two countries and has shown the general language ecology and policy making in Central Asian region,which sheds light on future research on language ecology and policy making in Central Asia.