Establishment of Unique State Language in Office Work Essay

Acknowledgement We want to acknowledge our parents for participating and helping us to conduct a questionnaire in the state institutions in Astana. Also we would like to thank Saltanat – secretary of head of government – for distribution of questionnaires among respondents and operate actions in delivering results to Almaty. Abstract Nowadays the issue of languages is one of the most actual, disputable. That is why government tries to improve the conditions of state language. This year new law was created; it states that all documentations must be written in Kazakh. This change cause many disputes and discussions and becomes more popular. As an actual issue this problem was chosen by the authors of research. The research question: what is the viewpoint of Astana citizens to establishment of unique state language in office work? Research objectives are to inquire into views of people to this law, find the advantages and disadvantages of change, to define the impact of transition on the process of work. After analyzing possible consequences, following research hypothesis was made: people would have negative point of view on the establishment. In order to achieve more efficiency the instrument of survey design – questionnaire – was chosen. It was conducted among 20 people – the inhabitants of Astana – who work in the state institutions, because change of language in the office work impacts them directly. Convenience sampling was used, because authors chose merely closest persons as respondents. At the base of results of questionnaire it was found that 70% of people have positive, 25% neutral, 5% negative attitude to the change. Thus, the results of questionnaire shows that the authors’ hypothesis was not justified: it was defined that people have positive viewpoint on the establishment, also there is no almost any difficulties connected with the change and it does not impact on the process and quality of the work. I. Introduction A. Reasons for Undertaking Research For almost 300 years Kazakhstan was under the pressure of neighbour Russia, so since it was happened our cultural wealth began to eradicate. Language was almost lost, and nobody knew what would be in the future. Unfortunately, the most powerful and developing country – Soviet Union – fell to pieces (Akishev, 1996). So, since from 1990 year there were born new countries. And Kazakhstan was not exception. Like a newborn baby, country started to do its first steps. In this way new constitution was created. â€Å"Kazakh is a state language, and Russian is official† says the constitution of Kazakhstan. But this year new law took place: â€Å"since 2007 year all documentations must be in Kazakh†, it states. But is the country with only half Kazakh-speaking inhabitancies ready to this change, how the multinational population will react to it? This is our issue. The government made a decision, but can we manage with it? Only 1000 civil servants of 5000 can speak Kazakh in advance or can do office work in it, documentation nowadays executes in Russian and only after that it translates into Kazakh. It is right to ask a question: what will follow after this establishment? Consequences may be different but more obvious thing that there will be many difficulties because of unknowing language. With this poor condition the procedure of work will delay, consequently, the standards, the value of work will decrease. The change of language of office work will lead to discrimination of not Kazakh-speaking population. Because of this it’s important to investigate this issue. After analyzing possible consequences, following research hypothesis was made: the attitude of major population of Astana has negative point of view on this change of language of office work in Kazakh. B. Research Methods In order to achieve more efficiency from research survey is using here. To investigate exact attitudes of people the work need statistics, numerical data, also the viewpoints, position, suggestions of Astana people must be considered in the work. So, survey design is the best way to attain the most systematically organized point here. Also questionnaire is being consumed as instruments of research. It was chosen because, in order to determine the views of people and situation in the country, quantitative method will be helpful. The data and facts that they will give may help to solve partly our problem. As it is written in previous, statistics is necessary, and questionnaire may give new data and numbers, so it is helpful in this area, specific questions in questionnaire (open-ended) the opportunity to determine the exact point of view of people and their suggestions. The questionnaire consists of two parts. The first one is written in order to investigate social status of people and give demographic data. The second section’s aim is to ascertain the attitude of the person to the establishment of unique state language in the office work. The questionnaire was held on the period 14-16 of June in Astana. 20 people working in the state establishments were respondents of the questionnaire. The type of the research was primary, convenience technique was used. Ð ¡. Research Structure The research paper is divided into the six following chapters: Introduction – this part of the research presents brief description of the research, reasons for undertaking it and methods which will be used during this research. Review of the literature — this part of the research is dedicated to information that was found in appropriate literature in order to describe problems of establishment the unique language in the office work. Field research results – is a descriptive part of work, where authors should give only description of results that they receive from questionnaire or/an interview. Analysis and discussion – in this part of research paper all information presented before will be analyzed and will be tried to define future outlook of the industry and investors decision that can be taken. Conclusion – authors make a summary of the research paper. Bibliography – sources that were used in writing research. Appendices – include the questionnaire paper and interview paper. II. Literature review A. Historical background of Kazakh language The gold book of history of Kazakhs includes following pages: at the beginning of XVIII century west part of present territory of Kazakhstan started to join to Russian Empire. In spite of resistance of Orta and Uly Juzes during next hundred years all regions of country wholly became a piece of neighbour state. Since that time by the order of imperator Russian Empire Alexander I commenced the change of ruling power: they chose the heads of juzes. In the 30-40es of XVIII century fortresses were built at the boarders of Kazakhstan. Russian-speaking people started to immigrate into the Kazakh land. So, these were the first steps of colonization policy and active exchange of culture, widely spreading of Russian language and slowing down of Kazakh. (Kozybayev,1995). After formation of the Soviet Union in 1917, the discrimination of all nations with their culture and language that existed on the territory of USSR took place. Politics of state was the creation of unified society, where were the one constitution of USSR, which named Russian the single language of communication. From that period in different parts of the biggest country of the world the policy of inculcation of Russian language started. This process was the ideology, which was considered by government of Russia. Following 70 years lead to the almost wholly losing of native language. As an example of it in 1954 when virgin land started to build up 640.000 people from other countries of Union came to KazSSR. As a consequence of it new educational establishments were built, but with this immigration only in south region of country 700 Kazakh schools were closed, children stayed without needed education. Also the names of water-lands were changed in Russian, in order to make more comfortable the life of our â€Å"guests†. With this problem of eradication of folk wealth faced not only Kazakhstan, but other 12 countries of USSR, especially Moldova, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Georgia, etc (Akishev, Baipakov, 1996). So, after colonization for almost 300 years young independent Republic of Kazakhstan had to face with problem of wholly reconstruction of society, policy and economy of country. As a consequence of this dependence became following data: according to Agency of Statistics from 01.01.2004 the population of country is equal to 14,952 million people: 57, 19 % Kazakhs, 27, 24% Russians, 3, 14% Ukrainians, 2, 74% Uzbeks and other 120 nationalities. For the present time about 3 million Kazakhs do not know their native language. 64,4 % of population possess with Kazakh, when 84,8% speak Russian (Agency of statistics of RK , 2004). B. Status of Kazakh language nowadays With getting sovereignty in 1991 Republic of Kazakhstan got opportunity to raise its national wealth. So, the new constitution from 30th August of 1995, in the 7th article of the first part (general provisions) of it states: â€Å"1. the state language of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be the Kazak language. 2. In state institutions and local self-administrative bodies the Russian language shall be officially used on equal grounds along with the Kazak language. 3. The state shall promote conditions for the study and development of the languages of the people of Kazakhstan.† (Constitution of RK, 1995). C. Problems and discussions on the issue According to B. Omarov (2005) – the head of Committee on problems of language of Ministry of information, culture and sport – in correspondents of State programme of function and development of languages for 2001-2010 years, affirmatived by decree of the president of RK from 07.02.2001 â„â€"550 in all regions of republic conduct measures of halting-placely change of office work on the state language. Because of this office work of 5 regions (Kyzylorda, Zhambyl, South-Kazkahstan, Atyrau, and Mangistau) was fully translated on state language. On the base of schedule of stagely translation of office work on state language cultivated republic agenda and brought in consideration of Government of RK. In accordance to this graphic from 01.01.2010 is expected fully translation of office work on state language. Due to this law there have been appeared problems of discrimination of not-Kazakh-speaking people in the country. Nowadays majority of people ask question, such â€Å"what this change will lead to?† According to Martha Brill Olcott (1997), there is a strong sense of disquiet among many of the country’s ethnic Russians, who feel that the break-up of the USSR has turned a familiar country into an alien one, and has left them as second-class citizens in what they themselves perceive as their native land. And the translation of language in office work will possibly grow gap between Kazakhstan’s Kazakhs and European communities. But specialists advise not to confuse. As Dariga Nazarbayeva states (2006), the change of language will not lead to discrimination of not-Kazakh-speaking people. Russian will stay as an official language. What just people should do – to learn about hundred of words and do documentations basing on them? Akim of Almaty I. Tasmagambetov (2005) and deputy, poet M. Shahanov (2005) become intimate in the opinion that world experience of states shows that presence of native language impact on stability, security of independent country. Our main aim is to raise the status of using Kazakh on the level of Russian. That is why akims actively accept the new law. They claim that the wealth that our ancestors gave to people should be kept. But there are some opposite points of view on this theme. Some non-Kazakh parts of population of RK think that government tries to slowly eradicate other nations from the land of Kazakhs. Some people, like O. Suleimenov (2005) – the representative of RK in UNESCO – thinks that republic is not yet ready for this change. This change may causes problems of leaving the country of other nations. At first, think this part of country, we should prepare the fundament, prepare people – to recreate grammar of language, to type reliable text books, in order to make easier the studying deeply and efficiently the language. At that time the minister of education and science B. Aitimova (2006) states that state program of Kazakh language for 2001-2010 is developing. She claims that 77% of schools are in Kazakh or mixed. But state Secretary O. Abdikarimov does not agree with that by saying that 500 million tenge was given from budget, nevertheless, there are no results. The minister culture and information – Y. Ertisbaev (2006) – he offers to make social polls. So, after some time, the problem will be partly solved. Summary Thus, there are many views on the issue of changing language of office work in Astana. Arguments of both sights are very strong; they were confirmed with statistics and prognoses of the critics. In discussions of the problem play role all social classes of Kazakhstan, because of this issue relates to all citizens of our country. Although there is no exact answer at the present time, but research will give it in the near future. III. Field research (Questionnaire results) A. General information The research question of present work is intended to find out what is the viewpoint of Astana’s citizens to the establishment of unique state language in office work. Thus, in order to obtain useful statistics and find out what are the precise attitudes of people on this issue, given questionnaire was conducted by researches. The field research was divided into three parts, which will allow to the reader comfortably find useful information (indirect data – common information, direct – specific material). At the period 14-16 of June in state institutions of Astana 20 people, who have full-time work place, have been asked by researches. Target population of the research is adults from 18 years old, in which 11 are female and 9 are male. As respondents were the closest available people, convenience sampling was used. B. Demographic (indirect) data At the process of work the category of age of respondents was divided into four parts: 18-25 (10%), 25-35 (35%), 35-50 (50%), over 50 (5%). 80% are Kazakhs and 20% are Russian respondents. From chart 1 it can be seen that the level of knowing of Kazakh and Russian languages among 20 people: [pic] Researches have investigated that 50 per cent of people know Kazakh in advance, 35 colloquial and 15 % do not speak on state language, while 90 % of people know Russian in advance and 10% colloquially. Table 1 shows the percentage degree of people who knows foreign languages and what are that languages. |Language |Percentage | |English |25% | |German |25% | |Belarusian |5% | |Don’t know other language |45% | Table 1. The quarter part speaks English, another Germany, while 5 % know Belarusian and other 45% do not know any foreign language. It was investigated that all 20 people have high education, from which 14 people studied in Russian (70%) and 6 in Kazakh (30%). The chart 2 shows the in what language people mostly communicate with each other: [pic] Half of respondents communicate in Russian, when 30% talk in Kazakh and 20% of people speak on both languages. At the process of work it was defined that all 20 people have full-time permanent work place, 19 (95%) are state workers, and 1 (5%) is a member of join-stock company. C. Attitudes of people (direct data) The chart 3 demonstrates the position of people toward the establishment. [pic] 80% of people think that it is right to establish such innovation, 15 % has neutral position and 5% are against the law. 70% of respondents have positive point of view to the establishment, 25% are neutral and 5% have negative attitude. From 20 people, who was asked, 12 (60%) are expressed willingness to do office work in Kazakh, while 8 (40%) people are not ready to such work. |Percentage of people who faced with office work in Kazakh | |Faced |60% | |Don’t faced |40% | From table 2 you may see that 60% of respondents have faced with doing office work in Kazakh while 40% do not. Table 2 From table 3 you may find out the percentage level of kinds of spreading of information about the establishment of unique language in the office work. 36,4 % of respondents have got information from work, 20% from relatives, 18,2% from friends, 15,6% through mass-media, 3,2% from another sources, while 6,6% do not know about this law. |Kinds of |Percentage | |Spreading of info | | |Relatives |20% | |Friends |18.2% | |Mass-media |15.6% | |At work |36.4% | |Other |3.2% | |Don’t know about this law |6.6% | Table 3. It was investigated in table 4 that change of language of office work for half of respondents has not any impact, 40% did not give answers, 5% do not know and on 5% has influence. |The influence on work |Percentage | |No |50% | |Yes |5% | |Do not know |5% | |Do not give answers |40% | Table 4 It was defined that 45% of people have not faced with any difficulties on work because of this establishment, 15% have some problems, and 40% did not give answers. It was investigated that the administration of state institutions have provide some conditions in order to prepare personnel to the establishment for 40% of respondents, and 60% have not got any programmes. People have mentioned such conditions like providing CDs, preparing lessons, electronic portal, programmes. 35% are satisfied with conditions that government provides, 15% not utilized, 10% is neutral and 40% did nit give answers. To the open-ended questions 90% respondents have given different answers, 10% preferred do not mention any suggestions. The majority of respondents suggested creating of courses, which will give opportunity to workers improve the level of knowing Kazakh. 20% of people were for establishment, but it was mentioned that this reform should be executed gradually. Another 20% have demonstrated desire to establish this law, because it is the time to raise the authority of state language. Someone was against establishment, and other, vice versus, suggested compulsory change language from Russian to Kazakh. D. Summary In spite the fact that most of people know more Russian that Kazakh, and that they communicate in Russian, it was investigated in generally that people have positive position to this establishment. There is a lack of preparing courses, but people disposed well. IV. Analysis and discussion Univariate analysis The research question of present work is â€Å"what is the attitude of Astana people to the establishment of unique state language in the office work in Kazakhstan?† After analyzing possible consequences the hypothesis stated that people would have negative point of view on the change of the language in the office work. a. Analyzing demographic data. As the change of language takes place in the state establishments, 95% of respondents were chosen from them. At the process of work it was investigated that the level of knowing Russian of 20 people, who were conducted the questionnaire, is higher than Kazakh: 100% know official language, while 15% do not know state language at all. In spite the fact that everyone knows Russian and the major part – 85% – of people know Kazakh, only the half part speak in Russian and 20% use only Kazakh, while 30% speak on both languages. Thus, ignoring the fact that the majority people know Kazakh, language of communication among people still is mostly Russian. b. Analyzing attitudes of people to the establishment (questionnaire, literature review). The main target of given work was to find the viewpoint of Astana people to the establishment. From the tabular form of frequency distribution we may see the main result of research. Table 1. Attitude to the establishment office work in Kazakh | |Frequency |% |Valid % |Cum % | |Positive |14 |70 |70 |70 | |Neutral |5 |25 |25 |95 | |Negative |1 |5 |5 |100 | |Total |20 |100 |100 | | More than half part of respondents have positive point of view on the change and only 5% were against it, so Astana people mostly are for establishment of state language. Analyzing the results of questionnaire, it was discovered that the major part of people think that it is right to change the language of documentation and they are ready to the transition. Authors made a prediction that the change of language may lead to conflicts among nations, it would be the discrimination of not-Kazakh people, the process of work will delay and quality of it would reduce. But the results show opposite thing: main part of people state that they have not faced with any difficulties, that the change does not impact on the done work and its’ efficiency does not decrease. 80% of respondents were Kazakhs; possibly, this is a reason of positive results in the questionnaire. Anyway, every man lives in Kazakhstan, may be that is why they have to answer positively, and may be, they had not other ch oice. Topic is very sensitive and both sides – Kazakh and not-Kazakh people – know it. Nowadays there are many issues on the theme of developing of Kazakh, and people do not react on them similar: someone is for raising the status of state language, someone afraid of this, because of unknowing Kazakh. Already 15 years Kazakhstan is independent country, it is obvious that Kazakh language should have specific status, it should have its own important place, and people should know it. It is already time to raise Kazakh, but not to eradicate Russian, because it is still the language on which all multinational population of country speaks, in which we communicate with our neighbours on international arena. People, by understanding it, should improve state language, by not disturbing official language. So, also, based on the results of questionnaire, it was found that government develops such things as courses, discs, electronic portals, programmes to prepare personnel to the change , but people mostly dissatisfied with these conditions, because almost all people suggest creating new instruments to improve language. This fact means that there is a lack of the books, special methods of studying, good teaching, etc. O. Suleimenov (2005) also came to this conclusion. He thinks that this change may cause problems of leaving the country of other nations. But there is a nuance: for some questions (about have they faced with any difficultiesmbecause of the change, have establishment impact the work, do they satisfied with conditions that government creates to prepare personnel?) the third part of people did not give answers. Does it mean that people are hiding something and expert is right? In the reality the issue of language is very sensitive: government tries to improve the authority of Kazakh while it seems that Russian is under discrimination. Among the members of parliament, government, also there are many debates on this theme. Akims, ministers say that they are undertaking measures as preparing personnel through the course, making privilege to people, who know Kazakh, raising their wages, but relying on opinions of people, we may conclude that it is not enough, because there is no efficient results, especially because the base of courses are very weak. There are some advantages and disadvantages of this issue: for Kazakh people it is good because their language is developing, but for other nations it is difficult, but they can do nothing with it: the law already exists, in spite the fact many people do not know Kazakh and there are no real measures that can prepare them. The data from literature review and questionnaire results are not similar, if some authorities are against establishment, main part of respondents support the change. This means that situation is not as negative as state the data of literature review. More people know or learning Kazakh than official statistics show. The state of Kazakh is improving. V. Conclusion The research question of present work is â€Å"what is the attitude of Astana people to the establishment of unique state language in the office work in Kazakhstan?† By considering the possible consequences and results, following hypotheses was made: the attitude of major population of Astana would have negative point of view on this change of language of office work from Russian into Kazakh. According to the results of questionnaire, the prediction of authors was mistaken: majority of respondents have positive viewpoint on the change, moreover, the ways to improve the situation were suggested by them. There were many disputes on the issue, some people think that will appear conflict that society is not ready, but, fortunately, these were not justified. It is already time to improve the status of Kazakh: people are for the change. The only one problem that should be eliminated: to develop the base of preparing and teaching people. 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