Kazakh language is nation-building foundation - Nazarbayev
ASTANA. April 24 (Interfax) - The official Kazakh language will develop in Kazakhstan in a natural way without prejudice to other languages, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
"The Kazakh land unites over 100 ethnoses. Certainly, good cement is needed to make this poly-ethnic diversity a nation. The Kazakh language, the language of the state, is the main factor cementing the nation," he said at a plenary meeting of the 20th session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan.
He cited the examples of the United States, France, Germany and China where citizens speak one official language. "Historically, we have a different situation so it is hard for us to look up to them, but we should aspire for one language to unite us, preferably, our children and grandchildren," Nazarbayev said.
"When we have one people and one identity it will be easier to develop and the country will truly become a land of opportunity for everyone who lives in it," the president said.
"It will be possible in this case to elect the president not by the ethnic principle," he added.
The official language will develop "without pressure or infringement but in a natural way," he said.
