The role of script in Kyrgyz identity: Examining attitudes toward Kyrgyz script, Cyrillic, and Latinization

Abstract

Presently, Kyrgyzstan remains the last former Soviet Turkic-speaking Central Asian Republic to use Cyrillic script with the possibility of undergoing Latinization. Our study investigates the attitudes of Kyrgyz speakers toward the present use of Cyrillic in Kyrgyzstan and a potential transition to Latin script. To investigate, we conducted a linguistic attitude survey that draws on three themes we predicted to have the greatest impact on speaker attitudes: (1) the fit of Cyrillic for Kyrgyz phonological patterns, (2) the trajectory of de-Russification in Kyrgyzstan, and (3) Kyrgyz globalization and foreign relations. Our results indicate that de-Russification appears to be the most influential factor shaping attitudes toward both Cyrillic and Latin, which suggest that Kyrgyz speakers view written language, or script, as a factor which impacts both the strength and power of Kyrgyzstan as well as opportunities available for Kyrgyz citizens.