Language Politics in Contemporary Central Asia : National and Ethnic Identity and the Soviet Legacy

Nationalist leaders in the former Soviet states strive for national identity in both the political and cultural domains. Their language policies contend with Russian-speaking intelligentsias, numerous ethnic minorities and sizeable Russian communities backed by the Russian Federation - all presenting major challenges to facing the legacy of Soviet rule. Drawing on many years of research, interviews with educators and officials, and visits to the region, Barbara Kellner-Heinkele and Jacob M. Landau explore the politics of language and its intersection with identity in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. With special attention to language education in schools and universities within each state and debates over bilingualism versus multilingualism, their insights offer researchers of politics, linguistics and Central Asian studies a comprehensive account of a highly politicised debate. Cover CONTENTS List of Illustrations List of Tables Preface and Acknowledgements Map of Central Asia and the Caucasus 1 Introduction Basic issues Language as symbol of national identity De-Russianization as language nationalism Turkish and other languages Language planning and language study Language challenges 2 Azerbaijan Basic data Nation-building debates Legislation and debates The challenge of Russian Latinization of the alphabet The Turkish involvement Minorities and language Language in education Languages at the universities The media 3 Uzbekistan Basic data Legislation Language Uzbekization Latinization of the alphabet Language attitudes The challenge of Russian Minorities and language Language in education Languages at the universities The media 4 Kazakhstan Basic data Nation-building debates Legislation and programmes The challenge of Russian Minorities and language Language Kazakhization Postponing Latinization Language in education Languages at the universities The media 5 Kyrgyzstan Basic data Legislation and debates Language law implementation Minorities and language Language in education Languages at the universities The media 6 Turkmenistan Basic data Legislation without debates Latinization of the alphabet Language Turkmenization Minorities and language Language in education Languages at the universities The media 7 Tajikistan Basic data Legislation Language Tajikization The alphabet issue Minorities and language Language in education Languages at the universities The media 8 Conclusion. Language Reform: Success or Failure? 9 Appendices References Index "Bahrain's tumultuous political landscape often overshadows the societal upheavals that this tiny country is facing. Sophia Pandya cuts through this to examine how international Islamic revivalism coupled with increased secular education has impacted Muslim women's religious practice and public position. She unsettles assumptions that education is a secularising force for Muslim women, showing that modern education among Bahraini women has in fact deepened both their engagement with Islam and their political participation. Uncovering what transpires when newly educated women have the opportunity to reinterpret religion and gain access to the work place and the political arena, Pandya sheds light on the complex intersections between women and public life, education and Islam. This book provides great insights into religious women's efforts towards self-determination within conservative Islamic movements as well as the impact of globalisation and wider economic and political developments in Bahrain."--Bloomsbury publishing Introduction -- 1. Azerbaijan -- 2. Uzbekistan -- 3. Kazakhstan -- 4. Kyrgyzstan -- 5. Turkmenistan -- 6. Tajikistan -- 7. Conclusion - Language: A Persisting Problem