26.10.2020-01.11.2020 • No: 278

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UZBEKISTAN’S TRANSITION TO LATIN ALPHABET AND LESSONS LEARNED There are many Turkic people of the same Although it has been 25 years since the official in the structure of the alphabet prevented the origin with a total population of over 200 mil- adoption of the Latin alphabet in , widespread use of the new alphabet. Undoubt- lion. These people use various alphabets, espe- there are still the difficulties with the transition edly, renaming only street names and public cially Latin, Cyrillic and Arabic. The differ- process. Although there are many reasons be- transportation vehicles was not sufficient for ences in the alphabets used, despite the similar- hind these difficulties, the most important one the integration of the new alphabet. ities in the sound structure of , is that the alphabet was changed several times. Although the Latin alphabet started to be used may shadow the fact that they have common This phenomenon naturally prevented the gradually in official documents, the continued points. However, the process of transition to spread of the alphabet throughout the society. use of two languages did not provide the ex- the Latin alphabet, which has been brought to The law adopted in 1993 was changed with ad- pected results. Although textbooks, children’s attention in independent Turkic states in recent ditional regulations in 1995. Tthe new amend- literature and classical Uzbek literature were years, has increased the possibility of creating ment aimed to increase the number of letters in written using Latin alphabet, the Cyrillic alpha- a common Turkic language alphabet. Looking the Latin-based keyboard to be more than 26, bet is preferred in electronic information tools at the transition history of Turkic people to the double letters and were replaced by and in the business world. The media, literary Latin alphabet, Turkey made the transition special and accent signs in the alphabet works, scientific studies and religious books in adopted in 1993. For instance, in 1995, the let- the country continue to be published mostly in first in 1928, Azerbaijan in 1991, Turkmeni- ter/sound “ә” was replaced with “ae”; letters Cyrillic. Only the titles of the books are trans- stan and Uzbekistan in 1993, we can see that “Ç ç, Ş ş”, were replaced with double letters lated to Latin, showing lack of will in this area. most countries started this process right after “ ch, Sh sh”. As a result, three double con- In addition, use of Cyrillic when writing pro- the collapse of the Soviet Union. After Ka- sonants “Hg hg”, “Ch ch”, “Sh sh” and two gram titles, film subtitles and advertisements zakhstan, which decided to switch to the Latin specially signed sounds “G 'g”, “O' o” were in- on television channels continues to be a serious alphabet in 2017, the issue of alphabet change troduced. In terms of information technology, obstacle to the widespread use of the Latin al- has been on the agenda in Kyrgyzstan as well. the Latin-based Uzbek alphabet consists of phabet. Vladimir Mikhailovich Alpatov, one of It is not an odd situation that the transition to only Latin-based letters. In the Cyrillic alpha- the well-known Russian commentators, states the Latin alphabet in Turkic states faces vari- bet of , there are only four let- that the continued use of Latin and Cyrillic ous difficulties and criticisms. Within the ters on top of the Russian letters such as Ө, Қ, characters together in Uzbek slowed down the framework of the mentioned discussions, this Ғ and Һ. In the new alphabet, the letters Ө and transition to the new alphabet based on Latin. study aims to examine Uzbekistan’s transition Ғ are used as O' and G' with ; the The abovementioned problems show that the to the Latin alphabet, which has the largest letters Қ and Һ, as Q and H; some sounds are issue of transition to the Latin alphabet in Uz- population in . accepted as double letter “Yo yo”, “Yu yu”, bekistan should be reconsidered. In this con- After the collapse of the Soviet Union, similar “Ya ya”. We can see that such a transition text, in May 2019, a special working team was to other Central Asian countries, identity build- changes the national character of the language. established at Ali Shir Nevai State ing process was initiated in Uzbekistan. In this In short, the Latin-based Uzbek alphabet of University on the development of the Latin al- direction, the “Law on Transition to the Uzbek 1995 consists of 29 letters and an (') (apostro- phabet and the process of making some Alphabet Based on Latin Letters” was accepted phe) symbol. Although the number of letters in changes was initiated. This working group, at the eighth meeting of the Uzbekistan State the new alphabet is seven letters less than the taking into account the changes in 1993, dis- Assembly on September 2nd, 1993, and the Uzbek-Cyrillic alphabet, some sounds had to cussed the 1995 regulations and prepared a process of transition to the Latin alphabet was be met with double letters due to the absence new study. Since 2019, it has been decided to initiated. Despite the atmosphere of those of special signs and symbols, and when an (') celebrate October 21st as the “Uzbek Lan- years, we can summarize the main goals of Uz- sign was added, the words became longer in guage Festival.” On October 20th, 2020, the bekistan’s transition to the Latin alphabet as character number compared to the old ones. President of Uzbekistan, Shavket Mirziyoyev, follows: 1) To determine the rank of the Uzbek Some researchers state that texts written in the adopted a new decree on the development of language, increasing the level of practical use Latin alphabet of 1995 increased by approxi- the Uzbek language and language policy. In and thus, ensuring the dominance of the Uzbek mately 10-15% compared to those written us- fact, in this decree, a road map for the develop- language; 2) To improve the political, social ing the Cyrillic alphabet. Another point that ment of Uzbek language has been determined and economic situation of the country; 3) To should be mentioned here is that the experience for the period of 2020-2030. create a new educational system in accordance of transition to the Latin alphabet in the years To conclude, there are some problems in Uz- with the national interest; 4) To improve the 1930-1940 was not taken into account in the bekistan's transition to the Latin alphabet. It geopolitical position and relations with neigh- process of making the new alphabet. In fact, at can be stated that there issues were caused due boring countries; 5) To speed up the moderni- the 1st Turkology Congress held in Baku in to the political, social and economic conditions zation process; 6) To raise a free generation. 1926, it was decided to switch all Turkic peo- of Uzbekistan in the first periods after inde- When these principles are taken into account, ple in the Soviet Union from using the Arabic pendence. In the near future, Tashkent should it can be said that the transition of Uzbekistan, alphabet to the Latin alphabet. As a result, in pay special attention to the widespread use of which has recently gained its independence, to 1930, Uzbekistan switched from the Arabic al- the Latin-based Uzbek alphabet with changes the Latin alphabet was a sign of great political phabet to the Latin alphabet and used this al- aimed at gaining a national significance. In this will for Tashkent. phabet until 1940. The lack of characters to de- According to the adopted law, the Latin-based termine sounds and disregarding previous ex- context, it is important that the Uzbekistan ad- Uzbek alphabet was envisaged to start its use perience make it difficult to adopt and wide- ministration considers the 34-letter alphabet, in primary schools in 1995 and then gradually spread the use of the Latin alphabet. which was decided in the meetings, held at var- expand it to all educational levels. It was aimed The political, social and economic situation of ious levels in 1991-1993. Transition to the to use the Latin alphabet throughout the coun- Uzbekistan after independence is closely re- Latin alphabet means having an advanced writ- try by September 1st, 2005. In the two years lated to the transition to the Latin alphabet and ing system suitable for the world standards and following 1993, new rules of Uzbek language its widespread use. From an economic point of for the information systems and telecommuni- spelling were determined and approved. Later, view, the transition to the new alphabet in Uz- cation technology, which are highly sought to- street names, names of public transportation bekistan coincided with the economic crisis pe- day. In line with this goal, the transition pro- vehicles, names of markets and institutions riod in the 90s, which caused the lack of finan- cess of the Turkic people in Central Asia to the were converted to the Latin alphabet. At this cial support required for this transition period. Latin alphabet is of critical importance for all stage, a number of names previously spelled in From a political perspective, the administra- Turkic people, as well as for the states con- Russian was transferred into Uzbek. The chil- tion’s inability to properly regulate the lan- cerned. Unity in the alphabet will strengthen dren, who started primary school on September guage reform prevented the development of the the bonds of brotherhood, as well as strengthen 1st, 1996, began to read and write using the new alphabet. Researcher Artem Kosmarskyi the cooperation and communication between new alphabet. Accordingly, textbooks were states that the Uzbek political elite’s refusal to people politically, socially and economically. prepared for primary school first graders and in give up their old habits of using the Russian As a final word, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan 2005, for the first time, diplomas of university language slowed down the radical changes in should consider the experience of Uzbekistan graduates were prepared using the new alpha- language politics and linguistics in Uzbekistan. in transition to the Latin alphabet in order to bet. This indecisiveness, lack of will and changes enable more successful transition.

Written by Balzhan Yeshmetova, Eurasian Research Institute, Kazakhstan

Politics, Foreign Affairs, and Security Economy, Finance, and Energy Society and Culture • A solemn presidential inauguration cere- • Kazakhstan is constructing a 100 MW • An event dedicated to the Republic Day of mony after Emomali Rahmon was re- wind farm in the southern part of the coun- Turkey entitled “The State with a high fly- elected with 90.92% of votes held in Ta- try, which will reduce annual CO2 emis- ing flag” was organized by the Interna- jikistan. This is Emomali Rahmon’s fifth tional Turkic Academy with the support of presidential term that will last until 2027. sions by approximately 262 thousand tons. After the inauguration ceremony, Presi- For the implementation of the project, the the Turkish Cultural Center of Yunus dent Rahmon delivered a keynote speech, country attracted loans from international Emre. It was attended by government offi- in which he outlined the main ways and di- financial institutions. The European Bank cials from Turkic states, representatives of rections of development promising to dou- for Reconstruction and Development sup- diplomatic missions, public figures, scien- ble GDP growth rate and to turn Tajikistan ported the project by providing $24.8 mil- tists and media. A book exhibition about into an energy independent country lion, while the Asian Infrastructure Invest- the founder of the Republic of Turkey, (Asiaplustj.info, 30.10.2020). ment Bank, the Industrial and Commercial Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and screening of • President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Bank of China and the Green Climate a documentary about Atatürk prepared by Tokayev, received Minister of Foreign Af- Fund allocated $34.3 million, $13.3 mil- the Academy were organized at the meet- fairs of Kyrgyzstan, Ruslan Kazakbayev, lion and $22.9 million, respectively ing (International Turkic Academy, during his working visit in Nur-Sultan. (Kazinform, 26.10.2020). 29.10.2020). During the meeting President Tokayev • China continues to strengthen its position • Embassy of Turkey to Moldova donated stated that Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan has tablets and laptops to Moldovan teachers close relations and sees each other as reli- in terms of trade with countries of the Eur- able ally and strategic partner. In turn, Ka- asian Economic Union. According to and students. The reception event of con- zakbayev declared his gratitude to Presi- China’s Vice-Minister of Commerce signment of the material aid was held at dent Tokayev for all the assistance pro- Wang Shouwen, despite the slight reduc- the Embassy of Turkey in Chisinau and at- vided to Kyrgyzstan during corona pan- tion in trade due to the pandemic from Jan- tended by the Minister of Education of demic and its intention to deepen the bilat- uary to August of this year, China’s share Moldova, Igor Sarov, and Ambassador of eral cooperation (Kazinform, 30.10.2020). in the union’s foreign trade increased to Turkey to Moldova, Gürol Sökmensüer. • The Eurasian Economic Commission held 20%. China also increased investments to The consignment included 140 tablets and an online forum “Alignment of the Eura- the EAEU, which grew by 7.9% compared 6 laptops, worth 27,000 euros in total sian Economic Union and China's Belt and to last year’s indicators reaching $710 mil- (Moldpres.md, 28.10.2020). Road Initiative”, which was attended by lion (TASS, 27.10.2020). • The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Czech Re- Belarus's First Deputy Minister of Foreign public and the National Academic Library Affairs, Aleksandr Guryanov. In his • China certified 98 companies from Bela- rus to export their products to its own mar- of Kazakhstan held an online presentation speech, Guryanov mentioned that Belarus of Abai’s Book of Words translated to considered China to be the strategic direc- ket. Belarus can increase supply of milk tion for its foreign policy. He also noted products to China as 56 of all 98 certified Czech. The event was attended by public that full participation in China’s initiative enterprises are milk-processing compa- figures, scientists and mass media. Festi- would improve the economies of the part- nies. As the result of active works towards val of Days of Culture of Kazakhstan in ner countries. Belarus called on financial certification since 2015, Belarus’s agricul- Prague was also marked by screening of institutions to increase co-financing of the documentaries dedicated to Abai’s 175th tural exports increased from $0.3 million th joint projects (BelTA, 27.10.2020). in 2015 to $131 million in 2019. The coun- anniversary and Al Farabi’s 1150 anni- • National Defense Minister of Turkey, Hu- try’s agricultural exports consist of meat versary (Kazinform, 29.10.2020). lusi Akar, visited Nur-Sultan where he met products (44%), dairy products (40%), • Members of the State Committee on Water with his Kazakh counterpart, Nurlan flax fiber (6%), and rapeseed oil (6%) Management of Turkmenistan held an Yermekbayev. The sides emphasized bi- online meeting with the Ministry of Water lateral relations between the two states (BelTA, 26.10.2020). • South Korea’s Posco International Corpo- Resources of Uzbekistan to discuss im- with common history, past and values, portant issues of cooperation in the field of mentioning constructive and close rela- ration which specializes in the grain busi- tions between the Turkish President, Re- ness purchased 68 thousand tons of feed water management. The Turkmen delega- cep Tayyip Erdogan, and First President of wheat from Ukraine. South Korea becom- tion reiterated its commitments to solve Kazakhstan Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev ing a promising market for Ukraine’s problems of the Aral Sea, as well as water and President of Kazakhstan, Kassym- wheat export where the country annually and energy issues in Central Asia. The Jomart Tokayev. The Ministers exchanged consumes 3.43 million tons of wheat, sides emphasized the need to work to- views on issues of regional security and while produces less than 20 thousand tons, wards the implementation of important cooperation in the defense industry joint projects showing mutual respect for (Aa.com.tr, 26.10.2020). or less than 1% of its needs. In September each other’s positions (Kun.uz, 2019, the Posco built a grain terminal in 31.10.2020). • Mejlis of Turkmenistan ratified an agree- Ukraine with a capacity of 2.5 million tons ment with Russia on cooperation in the (Ukrinform, 27.10.2020). • Inauguration of a new office of the Turkic field of security. The document was previ- Council was held in Budapest. The cere- ously introduced by the President of Rus- • The UzAuto Motors considers expanding mony was attended by the Secretary-Gen- sia, Vladimir Putin, and ratified by the financing opportunities and plans to attract eral of the Turkic Council, Baghdad Am- State Duma of Russia. In accordance with additional funds through issuing Euro- reyev, as well as Ministers and top diplo- the agreement, the parties shall not allow bonds. According to the company’s state- the use of their territory to the detriment of mats from different Turkic states. The new ment, they plan to issue $300 million Turkic Council office will further enhance each other's security. The strategic agree- where the maturity period of the Euro- ment also aimes to provide for cooperation cooperation among Turkic states in areas bonds will vary from five to seven years of economy, trade, customs, information between the countries in the fight against which would be placed on the London terrorism, organized crime, drug traffick- technologies, logistics, diaspora and edu- ing and money laundering (Centrala- Stock Exchange (UzDaily, 30.10.2020). cation uniting the East and the West sia.news, 16.10.2020). • Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan (Aa.com.tr, 20.09.2020). • Ukraine appointed its first honorary consul Ruslan Kazakbaev had a working visit to • The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Tur- to Azerbaijan. The ceremony of the ap- Kazakhstan, where he met with the Chair- key, Ishankuli Amanlyev, received a dele- pointment of Ukraine's Honorary Consul man of the Board of Kazakh Export JSC gation from the Kecioren district munici- in Shamakhi was held at the Embassy of Ruslan Iskakov. The parties discussed is- pality of Ankara. The sides exchanged Ukraine in Azerbaijan. At the ceremony, sues of bilateral economic cooperation and views on relations of the two Turkic states the newly appointed Honorary Consul, representatives of Kazakhstan expressed Mehrali Gasimov, received a consular and supported the idea of development of their concerns for the operation of Kazakh contacts between the twin cities of Turkey commission and an official certificate companies like Kaz Minerals Bozymchak, from Ukraine's Ambassador to Azerbai- and Turkmenistan. In particular, the par- jan, Vladyslav Kanevskyi. The new con- Jerooy, Jamgyr and Vertex Gold Com- ties discussed holding of the Days of Turk- sulate in Shamakhi will cover the Agdash, pany. During the meeting parties agreed men Culture, conferences, exhibitions and Agsu, Qobustan, Goychay, Ismailli and to diversify mutual trade flows using fi- other events after the coronavirus pan- Shamakhi districts of Azerbaijan (Ukrin- nancial and insurance instruments of the demic (Centralasia.news, 27.10.2020). form.net, 27.10.2020). Kazakh Export (24.kg, 30.10.2020).

Prepared by Saule Akhmetkaliyeva and Kanat Makhanov