Abstract
The article explores the structural and content-related aspects of defining a language situation, which is a central category in sociolinguistics. A language situation represents the hierarchy of language use within a specific administrative-territorial unit. As a system, a language situation consists of both permanent elements and variable components. While the elements of a language situation include the spheres of language use, its components are the languages themselves and their forms of existence. This study clarifies the classifications of language situations based on research in this field. The authors describe the language situation in Kazakhstan, relying on theoretical conclusions and established classifications. For the first time, the qualitative aspect of the language situation in Kazakhstan is revealed, identifying the number of languages that constitute the modern linguistic landscape and determining their functional domains. A classification of the actually functioning languages in the country is provided. One of the key issues discussed in the article is the nature of language existence forms, which are considered in sociolinguistics as linguistic states. The authors argue that the use of idioms (languages) encompasses various social spheres, each of which is served by different forms of language existence. Furthermore, the authors highlight the intensive development of translanguaging in Kazakhstan’s language situation, which is vividly manifested in people’s speech practices and urban epigraphy.