The norm regarding the Russian language is being changed in Kazakhstan

The norm regarding the use of the Russian language in Kazakhstan is being interpreted differently in the new draft Constitution. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

According to Bakhit Nurmukhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic, an important word in Article 9 of the draft will be changed. Instead of the previous word "equal," the phrase "alongside" is proposed.

This change is explained as a stylistic and editorial correction, aimed at ensuring terminological and semantic consistency. According to Article 7 of the current Constitution, the Russian language is officially used "equally" with the Kazakh language in state institutions and local government bodies.

At the same time, the Kazakh language is explicitly stated as the sole state language. However, the word "equal" has caused debates and discussions over the years.

According to some opinions, this phrase gives the Russian language a status close to that of a state language. The new wording "alongside the Kazakh language" sets a clearer logical line: Kazakh is the sole state language, and Russian is used alongside it, but not on an equal footing.

In this case, the Russian language is not legally equated with the state language but holds functional importance as a language of interethnic communication. Kazakhstan's new draft Constitution was announced on January 31 and will now undergo public discussion and is expected to be approved through a nationwide referendum.

The voting date has not yet been set. In conclusion, the change of a single word may serve to increase legal clarity in language policy.

The main question now is how this change will be received by the public and what proposals will be made before the referendum.