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According to the Ethnologue catalogue of languages, there were 7,139 languages in the world in 2020. 178 countries have a national and/or official language.

About the language

The Kyrgyz language is the state language of the Kyrgyz Republic. / Clause 1, Art. 13. Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic dated 5.5.2021.

Kyrgyz belongs to the Kyrgyz-Kipchak subgroup of the Turkic branch of the Ural-Altaic family of languages.

Academician B. M. Yunusalieva distinguished three stages in the development of the Kyrgyz language:

  • 1Old Kyrgyz (until the 9th–10th centuries CE) – the language of the Yenisei Kyrgyz.
  • 2Kyrgyz in the Middle Ages (9th–10th centuries – up to the 15th–16th centuries).
  • 3Modern Kyrgyz (from the 16th century).

Writing systems

The Yenisei Kyrgyz invented and used rune-like script. Samples of written monuments of the Kyrgyz Khaganate are similar to the Talas and Kochkor variants of rune-like graphic forms.

Until 1926 the Arabic script was used.
In 1927 a latinised alphabet was adopted as state script.
In 1941 the Cyrillic alphabet was approved.

Works and publications

The masterpiece of intangible cultural heritage in the Kyrgyz language — «Manas» — is the largest epic in the world by volume.

The first printed book in the Kyrgyz language, «Zilzala» by Moldo Kyluch Shamyrkan, was published in 1911 in Kazan.

The first Kyrgyz-language newspaper, «Erkin-Too», was published on 7 November 1924.

In 2021 a monument to ancient Kyrgyz script was erected in Bishkek.

Status of the state language

On 23 September 1989 the Kyrgyz language received the status of state language according to the Law of the Kyrgyz SSR "On the state language of the Kyrgyz SSR".

Language law
The functioning of the state language on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic does not preclude the use of other languages. / Art. 4 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the state language of the Kyrgyz Republic” dated 2.4.2004 No. 54.
The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, The Chair of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, The Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, The Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic, The Chairperson of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic are obliged to master the state language — to be able to read, write, express their thoughts and speak publicly in the state language. / Art. 8 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the state language of the Kyrgyz Republic” dated 2.4.2004 No. 54.
The protection, preservation and functioning of the state language in the Kyrgyz Republic are ensured by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, heads of state administrations, local self-government bodies. / Art. 32 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the state language of the Kyrgyz Republic” dated 2.4.2004 No. 54.
The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic creates all necessary conditions for the functioning and support of the constitutional status of the state language, adopts and finances state programmes for its study and development, as well as for education in the state language. / Art. 2 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the state language of the Kyrgyz Republic” dated 2.4.2004 No. 54.

Resources and literature

Links:

Online translation from Kyrgyz:

Literature:

Law of the KR “On the state language of the Kyrgyz Republic” - http://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/act/view/ru-ru/1439/60?cl=ky-kg&mode=tekst

National Commission on State Language and Language Policy under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic – http://mamtil.kg

Gallery

Атаке бийдин жазган каты
Semetey — Tynybek Zhapiev. 1925.
Brief rules of the imla. Kasym Tynystanov. 1936.
Tolubay, poet. Alykul Osmonov. 1944.