The Writing and Numeral System of the Kazakh Language: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction

The Kazakh language is a Turkic language predominantly spoken in Kazakhstan, and it has a rich cultural and historical background. The writing and numeral system of the Kazakh language has undergone several changes over time, reflecting the diverse influences it has received. This article aims to provide a detailed analysis of the Kazakh writing and numeral system, focusing on its historical evolution, script variations, and contemporary status.

Historical Evolution of the Kazakh Script

Pre-Islamic Period

Prior to the Islamic influence, the Turkic-speaking tribes of Central Asia, including those who would eventually form the Kazakh nation, used runic scripts for inscriptional purposes. While these scripts did not form a standardized writing system for Kazakh, they laid the groundwork for future developments.

Arabic Script

With the advent of Islam, the Arabic script was introduced. The script underwent several modifications to accommodate the phonetics of the Kazakh language. Various Arabic-based alphabets were used until the early 20th century, including the Chaghatai alphabet.

Latin Script (1929-1940)

In 1929, as part of a broader effort to modernize Central Asian languages, the Kazakh language transitioned to the Latin script. This period was short-lived, as the script changed once more in 1940.

Cyrillic Script (1940-Present)

Since 1940, the Kazakh language has been written in a modified version of the Cyrillic alphabet, consisting of 42 letters. This script has served as the main writing system for the Kazakh language throughout most of the 20th century.

Recent Developments

The government of Kazakhstan announced in 2017 that the Kazakh language would gradually transition back to the Latin alphabet by 2025. This move is considered a significant cultural and political shift.

Characteristics of the Kazakh Cyrillic Script

The Cyrillic script for Kazakh contains 42 letters, accommodating the sounds that are specific to the language. The alphabet includes additional letters like ‘Ә’, ‘Ғ’, ‘Қ’, ‘Ң’, ‘Ө’, ‘Ұ’, ‘Ү’, and ‘І’ that are not found in the Russian Cyrillic alphabet.

Latin Script Modernization

The proposed Latin alphabet for Kazakh aims to be phonetic and consists of 32 letters. The new Latin alphabet uses apostrophes to denote specific Kazakh sounds, such as ‘S’ and ‘S’ with an apostrophe, which represent different phonemes.

Numerals in Kazakh

Arabic Numerals

The Arabic numeral system is widely used for representing numbers in Kazakh, much like in other world languages.

Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

Kazakh has its own set of words for cardinal (one, two, three, etc.) and ordinal (first, second, third, etc.) numbers. The language uses a decimal system for counting.

Traditional Numbering System

Kazakh also has a traditional numbering system, especially for livestock and other agricultural counting, although these are increasingly rare in modern usage.

The Digital Age and the Kazakh Script

The Cyrillic script is widely supported in digital formats, with a growing amount of support for the newly proposed Latin alphabet. Unicode has provided code points for both Cyrillic and Latin-based Kazakh alphabets, making it easier for the language to adapt to digital requirements.

Conclusion

The writing and numeral system of the Kazakh language is deeply rooted in its historical and cultural background, showing a variety of influences from Arabic to Cyrillic scripts. With the planned transition back to a Latin-based alphabet, the Kazakh language is once again at a crossroads, balancing tradition and modernization. This complexity and adaptability make the study of the Kazakh writing and numeral system a fascinating subject that reflects broader linguistic, cultural, and even political trends.