1 Introduction

This paper introduces the geographical relationship between Kazakhstan and China, and the connection between the "the Belt and Road" initiative and Kazakhstan's "Bright Road" plan. Analyzed the historical background of language planning in Kazakhstan, including the influence of the Soviet era and new challenges after independence. Discussed Kazakhstan's adjustments in language policy, such as implementing a dual official language policy and the "language trinity" strategy, as well as a cautious attitude towards the Latinization reform of the Kazakh language. Finally, the 30-year history of language planning in Kazakhstan was outlined, providing a Central Asian perspective for the study of language planning in emerging nation states.

Evolution of Language Planning: From Kazakhstanization to the "Language Trinity" Strategy

This article elaborates on the evolution of language planning in Kazakhstan, from the promulgation of the Language Law of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in 1989, which established Kazakh as the national language and Russian as an interethnic communication language, to policy planning from independence until 1995 aimed at enhancing the communicative function of Kazakh. During this period, the promotion of Kazakh language led to a significant outflow of Russian and other non ethnic residents, which had a negative impact on economic development. Faced with the profound impact of the Russification policy and the socio-economic chaos during the transition period, Kazakhstan adjusted its language policy, transitioning from "Kazakhstanization" to "Kazakhstanization", which emphasizes multi-ethnic harmony and is not limited to a single ethnicity or culture. The promulgation of the 1995 Constitution and the new version of the Language Law marked a shift in language policy, emphasizing the equal use of Kazakh and Russian at the official level. In the 21st century, Kazakhstan continues to expand the use of Kazakh language while maintaining the communicative function of Russian and supporting the inheritance of minority languages. In 2007, President Nazarbayev proposed the "Language Trinity" project, emphasizing the importance of Kazakh, Russian, and English, with the aim of improving the country's education level and integrating into the world economic system.

3 language planning principles: equal emphasis on Kazakhstan and Russia, avoiding "repeating the mistakes of Ukraine"

As a multi-ethnic country, Kazakhstan's language policy aims to balance the development of various ethnic languages and promote ethnic harmony. The first president Nazarbayev emphasized the importance of the Kazakh language, believing it to be the main force that unites all citizens. In 1997, the release of the "Outline for Language Development from 1998 to 2000" marked the beginning of the country's participation in language life governance, promoting the improvement of Kazakh language education and function. The National Outline for Language Function and Development from 2011 to 2020 further refines language policies, emphasizing the role of Kazakh language in the national governance system while maintaining the cultural function of Russian language. The "Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy" proposes that a reasonable language policy is the key to national unity, while also deploying the task of Latinization of the Kazakh language. In 2019, the Implementation Outline of the National Language Policy for 2020-2025 clarified the tasks of promoting the modernization of the Kazakh language, strengthening the inter ethnic communication function of the Kazakh language, and enhancing citizens' language proficiency. Kazakhstan avoids adopting radical "de Russification" policies in language planning, and instead coordinates the relationship between Kazakh and Russian languages at the top-level design to avoid ethnic tensions and conflicts.

4 Language Planning Measures: Balancing the Promotion of Mandarin and the Development of Multilingualism

Kazakhstan regards the Kazakh language as one of the three pillars of national sovereignty, emphasizing its central position in the country's language life. In order to enhance the status of the Kazakh language, the country has taken measures including promoting the Latinization reform of the script, strengthening the construction of the vocabulary system, compiling terminology dictionaries, building corpora, establishing standardized testing systems, establishing a network of teaching centers, and implementing educational evaluation and supervision mechanisms. At the same time, we will expand the scope of Kazakh language use through public relations communication, media promotion, enhancing family motivation, and creating a good language atmosphere. In addition, Kazakhstan also attaches great importance to the protection and development of Russian and minority languages, as well as the promotion of English and other foreign language education, in order to promote multilingual coexistence and the implementation of national cultural strategies.

5 Language Planning Achievements: Overall Harmonious Language Relationships

Kazakhstan's 30-year language plan has strengthened national identity, and the people are more inclined to identify with Kazakhstan rather than a single ethnic group. According to public opinion polls in 2014 and 2016, the majority of people believe that citizenship is more important than ethnicity. Language conflicts have decreased and language relationships have become more harmonious. The number of people using Kazakh language has increased, Russian language remains powerful, and minority languages have received official support. Language planning aims to strengthen national identity and multicultural environment, popularize Kazakh language and build citizens' multilingual abilities, regulate ethnic interests, and serve the governance of multi-ethnic countries.

6 Challenges Faced by Language Planning

Kazakhstan faces the challenge of insufficient cultural foundation and historical heritage in its national construction, while the boundary between "Kazakhstanization" and "Kazakhstanization" is blurred, leading to ethnic marginalization. The politicization of language issues may threaten national security, especially the interests and centrifugal tendencies of the Russian ethnic group. The reform of Latinization of Kazakh characters has been launched since 2017, but progress has been slow, facing challenges such as information construction, development of communication space, and improvement of citizen acquisition level. The target originally scheduled to be completed by 2025 has been postponed to 2023-2031.

7 Conclusion

Kazakhstan's language policy and planning are influenced by multiple factors such as politics, society, and culture, with politics being the most critical. The state constructs ethnic relations and identity through language policies to avoid narrow nationalism. Kazakhstan's language strategy has undergone a transformation from monolingual to bilingual, and then to the "trinity" of Kazakh, Russian, and English, aiming to enhance the communicative function of Kazakh language while maintaining Russian proficiency and learning international common languages. This strategy reflects Kazakhstan's openness in the context of globalization and is also a unique form of its "de Russification".