bkosimiThe Language and the Nation
Posted by bkosimi on July 31, 2009
Recently a proposal of a new law to enhance the status and role of Tajik language has been submitted by government to Majlis (parliament) which became a hot topic for discussions. Our friends Darius Rajabian (www.dariussthoughtland.blogspot.com) and Salimjon Ayubzod (www.aioubzod.wordpress.com) have expressed their views and memories in their blogs about this and other legal measures that have been undertaken in the past concerning the official language of our country. We were happy and thankful to read them as always.
Although, I have not had a chance to thoroughly acquaint myself with this new draft of law and in spite of many flaws and unclear aspects in the text of the draft that fortunately Darius has revealed for us, I believe it is still a step forward. If the attempt of government is sincere and patriotic it can be a useful and significant deed, but if this is another game of politics related to visit of Russian leader and somehow to negotiate a bargain, it will certainly further ruin the trust and reputation of current government.
Obviously, in the country where 80% of population speak one language there should be no need to have another language to carry out jobs, duties and official communication. For example, in US, France, Japan and majority of countries worldwide there is one language designated as official or state language which every citizen is obligated to learn and use. It is English or French that is expected to be spoken in all major events including people of various ethnicities. So, anyone who had contributed to accepting the law on Tajik language some 20 years ago, made a big mistake and showed a great disrespect to their own language and identity.
In fact, the language is a main determinant of every nation’s existence and future prospects. Also, it is a basis for national unity, because if the standard language of the state is brought closer to the language that ordinary people speak in different regions of its territory it will enhance sense of national unity among them. Therefore, I believe that teachings in all educational institutions of the state should be conducted in state/official language. People who study and get education in other languages will have much difficulty getting absorbed and involved in their society, so they will feel isolated and unequal members of the communities they live in. All conditions should be made available so that every citizen first learns and knows the state/national language and then they are free to choose whichever language they want to pursue for their own needs and goals. If the language of communication between people of different ethnicities in formal settings is not the official state language itself than problems will inevitably arise for the status of national/official language. For instance, Russian speaker in Tajikistan will never have incentive to learn Tajik language, because he will rather use Russian when communicating with people of different ethnicity rather than using official language. That’s the fine line contradiction, but it can play a significant role.
When the role of language as guarantor of nation’s existence is provided, we will need to try to maintain its growth so that it keeps up with pace of modern world developments. This part of problem is harder to address, but not less important. Since promoting Tajik language in separation from other major Persian dialects, Farsi in Iran and Dari in Afghanistan, will not be right or easy anyways, we should try to cooperate more with these two brotherly nations in order to keep our common language enriched, strengthened and updated. Though we have not yet decided to change back to our Persian/Farsi writing script. This will be one of the main ways to save our Tajik language from degraded and disadvantaged condition it is nowadays. Hopefully, this new law will have a section that will envision protecting the status of Tajik language in Uzbekistan and Pashtun-dominated Afghanistan.
Lastly, for anyone who thinks that the issue of language is not priority in paving our way out from current desperate situation the country is in right now, I can say that until we learn and master our language we will not be able ever to stand up, ask, and demand for our rights and choices in a civilized, organized, and effective manner. We can never get out of misery until we are able to communicate effectively with each other.
Firdavs said
Acctually it is true what has been said in this article.I agree with auther’s ideas.First of what we need to do is to learn correctivly and affectivly and fully our own language and than others. It’s right as well that in order to keep our nation language enriched, we ought to have a very intimate and close relationship with two brothely countries Iran and Afghanistan.I wish that every writing both state documents, books, announcements and postcards were written in tajik language.When you take a walk on Khujand’s streets and avenues you can’t feel and imagine that you are in tajikistan, becouse every where is covered by russian language.
Homayoun said
Interesting topic!
I believe that Tajik people should wake up and work hard for revival of their language and history. Banning Russian language and alphabet is vital for Tajiks in order to regain their historic and cultural values. Russia like every other colonial power would prefer to keep its linguistic and cultural influence in Tajikistan. But it’s up to educated and patriotic Tajiks to stand up against such decisions in Tajikistan’s parliament. Otherwise Tajikistan will culturally remain poor and under the influence of Russia.
Farangis said
First of all, it is vital to establish worthwhile educational conditions and qualified in-state educational system. What are you talking about? Having all schools and classes in tajik? Ask yourself if we have enough books and comodities to undertake such a responsibility. Otherwise, your experiments and trials will leave thousand of young minds uneducated or illiterate.
Secondly, who told you that Russians are bad? What would you do if not their “likbez” policy? They were the ones to make our traditional society to change, let girls study and remember Ayni!!!! He would be killed if not Russian army. On the other hand, are you sure Tajikistan is stable enough to be completely independent of russian influence and support? Keep in mind remittances our people send back home, simply because we cannot provide them with worthwhile salaries to stay and work for the sake of nation! So, before thinking of revolutions in education first of all think of the consequences.
Not saying, that being dependent is what we are supposed to do. But be confident you can cope with outcomes and control the overall situation.
bkosimi said
Dear Farangis!
Thank you for comment.
There is no doubt that we urgently need to restructure and upgrade our educational system to international values and standards and it needs to be done gradually under a new professional team, not by a bunch of brainless officials under a dumb minister Rahmonov who can think of only changing dress codes and suing students. Evidently, education is a powerful factor in any nation’s failure or success. Better the education, the better well-being of a nation will get.
On the other hand, FYI, almost all schools in the country are already in Tajik with only a few Russian and/or Uzbak language schools in each city or region left. If we had a intelligent and patriotic elite and truthful professionals in the government, we would have transferred all schools and society in general to our Tajik language with Persian script by now. But, since I understand and have mentioned it before in my writings, that with such a corrupt regime and to such a extent unpatriotic, coward, and undereducated officials, implementing any major changes or experiments is likely to be dangerous and counterproductive. Therefore, I have claimed that this president needs to renew his team with 50% young, Western-educated professionals or his regime should and will be forced out eventually.
Intelligent people analyze and come to conclusions. I hope you have not been used to being told something to believe in, that maybe for instance, russians are better than us, russian language is much powerful than ours and so on. Lady! Should you have more patriotism and bravery, which women naturally have less of, you could realize from facts the kind of harm these russians and their soviets have brought to our rich culture and proud nation. We can’t predict the future, but if not for this russians, we possibly could have been better off with English or Germans by our side.
I remember Ainy’s writings and have deep regrets about our country being taken and ruled by mongoloids since Samanids until the end of Bukhara Emirate. What kind of a prosperity you can have with salchuks and mangits with their mongol way of management. Our nation needs to take the leadership for its own fate now. That’s the point! We should not let russians or any other nation to bully us anymore.
Again, our vision will take place in the course of time. It won’t happen now or very soon. But now is the time when we need to start standing up and speaking out, all Tajiks side by side. If we don’t act now to reduce our dependence gradually on foreign countries we will remain powerless and poor for some time.
Being dependent might be what you supposed to do or prefer to be, not us. Not at all. We should have higher expectations and demands from ourselves. We don’t need to be that low. We need a new leader and hopefully, our nation will soon be blessed again to have him/her who will save our nation from such misery and mud to alleviate to progress, strength, and unity.
God bless us!
Khudo madadgori millati Tojik bod!
– Botur