Cyrillic Script

Currently, the Cyrillic script is the most widely used writing system in the Republic of Kazakhstan, serving as the official standard for government administration, education, legal documentation, and mainstream media.

Geographical Distribution

Kazakh Cyrillic is predominantly used across the following regions:

• Republic of Kazakhstan: Utilized by the vast majority of the population in daily and official communication.
• CIS & Post-Soviet States: Native Kazakh communities residing in Uzbekistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.
• Mongolia: Widely used in educational institutions and regional publications in the Bayan-Ölgii Province.

Historical Background

The transition of the Kazakh language to the Cyrillic script was officially adopted in 1940, following a brief period of Latinization (Yanalif). To accommodate unique Kazakh phonemes, linguists augmented the standard Cyrillic set with specialized characters.

Script Features (42 Letters)

The Kazakh Cyrillic alphabet consists of 42 letters: 33 derived from the standard Russian alphabet, alongside 9 modified characters representing unique Kazakh sounds:

• Ә ә — Open front unrounded vowel (e.g., Әке - Father)
• Ғ ғ — Voiced velar fricative (e.g., Ғалым - Scholar)
• Қ қ — Voiceless uvular plosive (e.g., Қазақ - Kazakh)
• Ң ң — Velar nasal sound (e.g., Маңай - Vicinity)
• Ө ө — Open-mid front rounded vowel (e.g., Өмір - Life)
• Ұ ұ — Near-close near-back rounded vowel (e.g., Ұлт - Nation)
• Ү ү — Close front rounded vowel (e.g., Үміт - Hope)
• Һ һ — Voiceless glottal fricative (e.g., Гауһар - Gem/Gauhar)
• І і — Close front unrounded vowel (e.g., Іні - Younger brother)