Language Activism in Kazakhstan

Communist and Post-Communist Studies, vol. 59, pp. 38–57

Abstract

This article explores the phenomenon of language activism in Kazakhstan, examining its roots and contemporary manifestations within a decolonial framework. Despite Soviet colonialism not being traditionally classified as typical colonialism, it resulted in significant sociolinguistic inequalities, particularly between the Russian and Kazakh languages. The research highlights how modern Kazakh language activists challenge this imbalance by promoting the use and prestige of Kazakh, addressing issues of linguistic justice and national identity reconstruction. The study emphasizes the impact of nation-building policies and the role of grassroots activism in navigating the complexities of bilingualism and ethnic identity. It argues that the current wave of activism not only reflects decolonial sentiments but also contributes to a broader discourse on linguistic justice in a multiethnic society. The analysis is grounded in the sociopolitical context of (post-)Soviet Kazakhstan, with particular attention to recent geopolitical shifts and their influence on language dynamics.

Authors 2

1. Kamila Smagulova Aachen Institute for History, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for History, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands

2. Joanna Bagadzinska

   University of Warsaw

   Affiliation as printed

   Doctoral School in Social Sciences, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland