The role of language policies in developing plurilingual identities in kazakhstan

Abstract

Kazakhstan is a multicultural country that conducts democratic policy towards every ethnic group living there; therefore, major language policy documents raise the importance of maintaining and developing all languages in Kazakhstan. Moreover, raising Kazakh, Russian and English speaking plurilinguals is seen as a key factor for establishing peace and reciprocity among all nations. This paper reviews how language policies contribute to the development of plurilingual individuals in Kazakhstan, and analyzes their role as major drivers for promoting a multilingual society. It also focuses on language policies along with ensuing initiatives through the lenses of historic roots, socio- political context, and outcomes.