President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for the systematisation of Kazakh language rules and the updating of dictionaries. He noted that inconsistencies in the spelling and use of words make communication more difficult, El.kz reports citing the Akorda press service.
Tokayev drew attention to the fact that certain words, terms and concepts are currently used in different ways. In his assessment, the lack of uniformity can lead to confusion and adversely affect standards of written communication.
The President proposed that the process begin with the systematisation of spelling standards and existing language rules. He also emphasised the need to review dictionaries, including the orthographic dictionary.
“First and foremost, spelling standards and rules must be reviewed, consolidated and systematised. In addition, the time has come to update all dictionaries, including the orthographic dictionary,” Tokayev said.
The President thus called for spelling conventions and language rules to be brought into order as a first step, followed by the updating of dictionaries. The original Kazakh-language wording of his statement is reproduced above.
As a historical example, the Head of State referred to the orthographic dictionary officially approved in 1983. Other editions were published subsequently; however, as the President noted, they had not undergone the same approval process at the state level.
In September, Vice President Yerlan Karin announced that a new orthographic dictionary was being prepared. According to him, specialists were to be engaged in its development, with the final draft subsequently submitted to an interdepartmental commission for consideration.
Tokayev linked the standardisation of language norms to strengthening the status of Kazakh as the state language. In his address, he also emphasised the importance of developing the Kazakh language without setting it in opposition to other languages.
