American think tank website The Diplomat published an article titled "Words and Power: How Russian Media Shape the Latinization of Kazakh" on July 8, written by Aziz Berdikulov. Here is the translated version of the article:

Russian media often report on Kazakhstan's Latinization process through a politicized perspective, using conspiracy theories, nostalgia for colonial times, and mockery.

Kazakh officials generally view the transition from Cyrillic to Latin script as a step toward modernization and global integration. However, in Russian media, this reform quickly became associated with power shifts, regional reorganization, and remnants of the former Soviet Empire.

In Kazakhstan, the first discussions about converting the Kazakh language to the Latin alphabet took place in the 1990s. In 2012, President Nursultan Nazarbayev reintroduced the idea of script reform in his "Kazakhstan-2050" strategy. In 2017, Nazarbayev signed an official decree to adopt the Latin alphabet by the end of 2025. The official reasons given for Latinization included enhancing national identity by shedding externally imposed Cyrillic script, simplifying access to global technology and markets, and restoring the linguistic features of the Kazakh language.

Since then, multiple versions of the Kazakh alphabet have been introduced, but they all faced severe criticism. The latest version was launched in 2021 and was considered the final one. The initial deadline for adopting the Latin alphabet has been adjusted to between 2023 and 2031. Current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need for caution, but pledged to continue the script reform.

Script reforms are rarely purely technical, as they often reflect "fundamental ideological" systems and reveal deep-seated anxieties about identity, power, and shared cultural values. Russian media frequently report on Kazakhstan's Latinization process through a politicized lens.

This analysis is based on a review of more than 200 articles from Russian media (such as Regnum, Lenta, Gazeta, RBC, Izvestiya, and Russia Today), using critical discourse analysis and corpus-assisted discourse analysis. In this study, only Russia Today is state-owned; however, all referenced media either align with the state or are influenced by the Kremlin in their editorial policies.

Although terms related to writing, such as "language" and "alphabet," dominate the vocabulary of the reviewed media, the existing discourse is broader, including narratives about identity and geopolitics. References to Russia, Turkey, and Eurasia indicate that Latinization is often portrayed as a geopolitical act, suggesting that Kazakhstan is making a choice between Moscow and the Turkic-Western bloc.

Discourse Strategies

The most notable is the tone of conspiracy theories and nationalism in the reporting. To cater to the Kremlin's worldview, the media depict Latinization as a foreign plan aimed at undermining Kazakhstan's unity and its educational system. For example, Regnum reported in 2021 that foreign NGOs and Western "fifth column" were conspiring to weaken Kazakhstan, warning that the country's education system would be "defenseless against the influence of foreign NGOs." Here, the author draws on a popular conspiracy theory theme, portraying a simple script change as an external imposition. A commentary article in Regnum titled "Wherever Soros Goes, Trouble Follows" echoes George Soros's notorious anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Such rhetoric places Latinization outside of everyday policy discussions and into a secret plan to drive Kazakhstan out of Russia. Moreover, these emotionally charged article titles also exacerbate the tabloid nature of the topic.

Besides the conspiracy framework, nostalgic sentiments for colonial times are also evident. This diffuse discourse strategy is used to establish Cyrillic and the Russian language as a civilizational heritage. Russian and Cyrillic are depicted as mediums that brought "new knowledge" to the Kazakh people. An article in Regnum from 2019 stated, "Russian has always been the language used by those who brought new knowledge to this land, and it is precisely these new knowledge that have made the Kazakhstan we see today."

This narrative not only belittles the role and achievements of the Kazakh people but also introduces a dichotomy of "us" versus "them," contrasting the apparent modernization during the Soviet era that benefited from Russian and Cyrillic with the so-called erroneous choice of switching to Latin. In a now-deleted article from Regnum, Kazakhs were called "Orientals," implying a condescending attitude towards them, while another article described them as "lamenting in kitchens and yurts." This colonialist discourse emphasizes that Cyrillic and Russian are the causes of Kazakhstan's development and also implies that the country's achievements are credited to the Soviet Union.

Other related discourse patterns carry ironic undertones in their framing and assumptions. Russian commentators often use a sarcastic tone when referring to the script reform. They use irony and sarcasm to describe the supporters of Latin, such as "the Kazakh pyramids of Khufu" and "Nazarbayev embarrassing everyone," while pro-Russian views are presented as self-evident truths.

An author in an article from 2017 about the later years of the then-Kazakh president noted that Nazarbayev was a major supporter of Latinization and stated, "Despite the achievements of modern geriatric medicine and elite medicine, it remains uncertain whether the president will live long enough to see the completion of Latinization." These statements link the script reform to individual will (in this case, Nazarbayev) and create an illusion that if there is a leadership change, Kazakhstan will be unable to continue the reform.

The authors also emphasize the idea that Russian education is of higher quality in a matter-of-fact manner: "The higher quality of Russian education is an objective factor." Therefore, Russian media reinforce the notion that Russian education and language mean better opportunities, and by mocking supporters of Latinization, they create an atmosphere where the script reform is destined to fail or appear absurd.

Unlike Regnum, which often openly promotes nationalism and actively undermines Latinization, media like Lenta and Gazeta in Russia employ more subtle methods, although they still carry obvious biases. In a special report from 2017, Lenta pointed out that the script reform was interpreted in various forms: leaving the Russian cultural sphere, a civilizational choice, or simply a desire for change. At the same time, words like "manipulating fonts" with a sarcastic tone were used in the article to undermine Latinization and instill doubt among readers.

Gazeta published an overview on Latinization in October 2019. The author compared the management of Latinization during the presidencies of Nazarbayev and his successor Tokayev. The report highlighted that unlike his predecessor, Tokayev did not actively advocate for Latinization but decided to entrust specialized institutions with the proper planning of the transition. The report covered challenges in the reform, such as public criticism and the difficulty of developing the best version of the alphabet, and described Latinization as a bureaucratic challenge. Nevertheless, critical undertones remained. For example, an expert quoted in the article questioned the role of Latin in civilization: "Japan has already come close enough to Western civilization using ideograms."

In 2017, the official media outlet Russia Today (RT) published a series of viewpoints on Latinization, predicting the political, historical, and social impacts of this reform. The article cited official statements from Kazakhstan, stating that Latinization is a necessary step to achieve modernization and unify all Kazakhs (including those living abroad). At the same time, the article raised some criticisms, questioning the economic and cultural logic behind the reform and its efficient integration with the West and Turkic world. The Latinization transition was seen as a complex and potentially divisive policy that could cause generational and cultural rifts in Kazakh society. Despite assurances from Kazakh officials, RT expressed concerns that the reform might limit older generations' access to cultural heritage and raise questions about its inclusiveness and long-term consequences.

Not Just a Script

The analysis shows that Russian media tend to associate the issue of Latinization with regional reorganization and loyalty, rather than viewing it as a linguistic issue. This discourse is more about maintaining existing cultural and political boundaries in the relationship between Kazakhstan and Russia. In this context, Latinization becomes an external imposition, posing a threat to Cyrillic script and its role as a bridge to Russia and the Russian language. Ultimately, this discourse may indicate Russia's concern about its influence in Central Asia. Frequent references to Turkey, China, and the West strengthen the narrative of the geopolitical dimension of Latinization.

Under this politicized context, it is no surprise that the Russian authorities formally emphasize their commitment to safeguarding the rights of Russian minorities "wherever they may be." This vigilant monitoring of changes in Kazakhstan's policies is also reflected in Russian media, which warn that abandoning Cyrillic could marginalize the largest Russian diaspora in Central Asia. What may influence Russia's stance on this issue is the strengthening of the colonial discourse about Kazakhstan after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Conclusion

The debate surrounding Kazakhstan's script reform goes far beyond a linguistic issue. It is a negotiation process aimed at determining who decides the future of the Kazakh nation, who writes its history into the language, and who replicates the legacy of the former Soviet Empire. Russian media echo the Kremlin's position, portraying Latinization not just as a local issue or an internal matter of Kazakhstan, but as a symbol of the shift in power in Central Asia. The media's narrative indicates that discussions on language policy have become a proxy battlefield in the post-Soviet era.

Although Kazakhstan continues to approach the script reform with caution, the discourse strategies of Russian media are key factors influencing regional perceptions. Since Latinization is still ongoing, and Kazakh elites seem determined to push forward, Russian media will continue to cover it. It should be remembered that Moscow's view of Kazakhstan's script reform is not only about the Kazakh alphabet, but also about Russia's own perception.

Source: The Diplomat

Date: July 8

Author: Aziz Berdikulov, a contributing author to The Diplomat

Aziz Berdikulov is a researcher at the Center for Ethnic Minority Issues in Europe and a doctoral student at the University of Flensburg in Europe.

His main research interests include nation-building, political mobilization, and the socioeconomic participation of ethnic minorities, especially in post-Soviet countries.

"Linguistic Studies | Translation"

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7526468672236618286/

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