Tokayev says Kazakh language gained majority use without coercion

September 24, 2026 at 11:57 AM1 min

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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told the first session of the Kazakhstan People's Council that the Kazakh language has become the language of the majority without administrative or political coercion. He said young people now speak Kazakh fluently and that inability to speak it is seen as a sign of ignorance. Tokayev warned that provocateurs inciting ethnic discord on social media must be countered under the Constitution's 'Law and Order' principle.

Key Facts

Tokayev spoke at the first session of the Kazakhstan People's Council on 24 September 2026.
He said the Kazakh language has expanded without administrative or political coercion and become the language of the majority.
Tokayev stated that inability to speak Kazakh has become a sign of ignorance.
He called on law enforcement and society to counter provocateurs who incite ethnic discord on social media under the Constitution's 'Law and Order' principle.

Language Status

Tokayev said the Kazakh language has become the language of the majority without any administrative or political coercion. He noted that young people speak Kazakh fluently and competently. The president said the native language is in demand as the state language and as a symbol of national culture and identity. Tokayev added that inability to speak a single word of Kazakh has become a sign of ignorance.

Interethnic Harmony

Tokayev stressed that the growing use of Kazakh does not mean abandoning other languages or giving anyone the right to discriminate against them. He reminded the audience that the Constitution prohibits discrimination based on language, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or any other grounds. Tokayev said professional provocateurs sometimes incite ethnic discord on social media and in real life. He called on law enforcement agencies and society to firmly oppose such actions in accordance with the constitutional principle of 'Law and Order'.