Ethnologue 14 report for language code:KAZ

KAZAKH: a language of Kazakhstan

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: KAZ

ISO 639-1: kk

ISO 639-2: kaz

Population

5,293,400 in Kazakhstan (1979 census), 40% of the population, 98% speak Kazakh as mother tongue. Population total all countries 8,000,000 (1999 WA).

Region

Kazakhstan, northern Soviet Middle Asia and into western Siberia. Also spoken in Afghanistan, China, Germany, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia (Asia), Tajikistan, Turkey (Asia), Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Alternate names

KAZAK, KAISAK, KOSACH, QAZAQ

Dialects

NORTHEASTERN KAZAKH, SOUTHERN KAZAKH, WESTERN KAZAKH.

Classification

Altaic, Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian.

Comments

Minor dialect differences. Many speak Russian or Uzbek as second language. Increasing ethnic pride and feelings of Islamic brotherhood. Semi-nomadic. The names 'Eastern Kirghiz' and 'Western Kirghiz' have been erroneously applied to Kazakh. SOV. Cyrillic script. Increasing education in Kazakh. Radio programs. Traditionally pastoralists, now agriculturalists, industrialists. Sunni Muslim. NT 1820-1910, out of print.

Also spoken in:

Afghanistan

Language name	KAZAKH
Population	2,000 in Afghanistan.
Alternate names	KAZAKHI, QAZAQI, QAZAQ
Dialects	NORTHEASTERN KAZAKH, SOUTHERN KAZAKH, WESTERN KAZAKH.
Comments	Literacy rate in first language: Below 1%. Muslim. NT 1820-1910, out of print. See main entry under Kazakhstan.

China

Language name	KAZAKH
Population	1,111,718 in China (1990 census), including 830,000 Northeastern Kazakh, 70,000 Southwestern Kazakh (1982).
Alternate names	KAZAK, KAZAX, HAZAKE
Dialects	NORTHEASTERN KAZAKH, SOUTHWESTERN KAZAKH.
Comments	An official nationality in China. SOV. Literacy rate in second language: 72%. Had an official Roman alphabet; since 1980 uses a modified Arabic script. Radio programs. Pastoralists, some agriculture. Sunni Muslim, some shamanism. NT 1820-1910, out of print. See main entry under Kazakhstan.

Iran

Language name	KAZAKH
Population	3,000 in Iran (1982 estimate).
Alternate names	KAZAK, KAZAKHI, GAZAQI
Comments	Any who are literate would use Arabic script. Muslim. NT 1820-1910, out of print. See main entry under Kazakhstan.

Mongolia

Language name	KAZAKH
Population	120,000 (1993 Johnstone), 4% of population in Mongolia (1991).
Alternate names	KAZAKHI, QAZAQ, QAZAQI, KAZAX, KAISAK, KOSACH
Comments	Cyrillic script used. Traditionally Muslim, but now largely atheist with Muslim traditions and occultism. NT 1820-1910, out of print. See main entry under Kazakhstan.

Turkey (Asia)

Language name	KAZAKH
Population	600 or more in Turkey (1982).
Alternate names	KAZAKHI, QAZAQI, KAZAX, KOSACH, KAISAK
Comments	Roman script used in Turkey. Muslim. NT 1820-1910, out of print. See main entry under Kazakhstan.