Language as a Value Category in Kazakhstan’s Multilingualism: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Ethnolinguistic Identity and Language Attitudes Among Different Population Groups

Sholpan K. Zharkynbekova, Bakhyt Galiyeva, Gulbagira Ayupova, Marya Bekova, Zukhra Kh. Shakhputova

2026

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DOI 10.1177/13670069261462817
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Aims and Objectives: The article is devoted to the analysis of the value orientations and attitudes toward the Kazakh and Russian languages among two groups of residents in Kazakhstan (Russian-speaking Kazakhs and Russians). These groups, located at the intersection of identities, historical memory, and everyday language practices, are significant for interpreting linguistic transformations in the country’s multilingual context. The two groups are united by Russian as the dominant language of everyday communication, but they differ ethnically, which enables the distinction of linguistic identity and ethnic affiliation as independent variables. Methodology: The study was conducted within a post-positivist paradigm, utilizing a cross-sectional design and a cross-sectional survey. Data and Analysis: The data from a survey of 517 respondents were analyzed. To examine differences in language perception through the lens of values, non-parametric statistical methods were used (Kruskal–Wallis tests; Dunn and Mann–Whitney tests with Bonferroni correction). To corroborate and cross-check the survey data, an analysis of texts from a variety of social media platforms was also conducted. Findings/Conclusions: The findings indicate statistically significant variations in language attitudes that correlate with value orientations. Russian-speaking Kazakhs tend to perceive the Kazakh language as a symbol of cultural continuity and post-colonial identity, while Russian respondents demonstrate more neutral or ambivalent attitudes toward it. Originality: The study contributes to the academic discourse on the role of language and attitudes toward it in Kazakhstani (and, more broadly, post-Soviet) society. The study’s significance also lies in identifying key factors (the historical legacy of the Soviet period, contemporary educational strategies, the digitalization of the communicative space, etc.) that influence language attitudes. Significance/Implications: The results obtained can be used to develop a more balanced language policy that takes into account both the symbolic and functional aspects of language use.