National identity discourse and perception in the media outlets of Kazakhstan

Abstract

This project examines perceptions of the civic "Kazakhstani" national identity in the discourse of Kazakh- and Russian-language media of Kazakhstan and highlights the divergent views on the civic nationhood of Kazakhstan in these two linguistic realms as well as explores implications for the nation-building process in Kazakhstan. In particular, this study illustrates how the usage of two languages, Kazakh and Russian, in the country's media industry, marks different understandings of ethnicity and identity issues in their respective audiences.