KAZAKH KNOWLEDGE

UNCOVER THE TRUE KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakh, known as "Қазақ тілі" in its native form, is a language that holds a distinctive place in Central Asia. It belongs to the Turkic language family, setting it apart from the Indo-European languages spoken in much of Europe and neighboring regions.

Kazakh is primarily spoken in Kazakhstan, where it is the official language, but it also has speakers in countries such as China, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, as well as in diaspora communities worldwide. With approximately 13 million speakers, Kazakh is one of the most widely spoken Turkic languages.

Unlike its Indo-European neighbors, Kazakh shares linguistic roots with Turkish, Uzbek, and Kyrgyz. However, despite these connections, mutual intelligibility varies due to linguistic divergence over centuries. Kazakh’s distinctiveness is reflected in its vocabulary, grammar, and phonetics, which have evolved independently while incorporating influences from Arabic, Persian, Russian, and Mongolic languages over time.

Kazakh is deeply intertwined with the culture and history of Kazakhstan, serving as a key element in preserving the nation's identity, especially during periods of foreign rule. Of particular significance is its rich oral tradition, including epic poetry such as the "Manas" and the works of renowned poets like Abai Qunanbaiuly, who played a crucial role in shaping modern Kazakh literature.

Here are 5 Unique Features of the Kazakh Language:

1. Agglutinative Grammar: Kazakh forms words and expresses grammatical relationships through the addition of suffixes. A single Kazakh word can convey what would require an entire phrase in English. For example, the word үйімізде means "in our house."

2. Vowel Harmony: Kazakh follows vowel harmony, a phonological system where vowels within a word must belong to specific groups—either front or back vowels. This rule ensures a natural and harmonious flow in speech.

3. Rich Case System: With seven grammatical cases, Kazakh uses suffixes to indicate relationships between words, replacing many prepositions found in English. These cases define functions such as possession, direction, and location.

4. Flexible Word Order: While Kazakh follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) structure, its word order is flexible and often influenced by emphasis rather than rigid grammatical rules. This allows for dynamic sentence construction.

5. Pronunciation: Kazakh pronunciation is relatively consistent, with words pronounced as they are spelled. The language features unique letters such as ә, ү, and ң, which contribute to its distinctive phonetic system. Stress generally falls on the last syllable of words.

NATURAL METHOD TO LEARN KAZAKH

Our language courses are based on the Natural Method, also known as the Natural Approach, developed by linguist Stephen Krashen and language educator Tracy Terrell. This approach focuses on creating an environment that mimics how individuals naturally acquire their first language, emphasizing comprehension, communication, and a stress-free learning experience.

While other language courses rely on rote memorization and drills, a heavy academic approach to grammar, repetitive exercises, expensive and time-consuming formal tutoring sessions or ineffective and shallow phone apps, we will have you gradually build your language skills like a child learning his/her mother tongue.

There are essentially 5 Core Principles in the Natural Method:

1. Comprehensible Input (i+1)
   Learners acquire a language when they are exposed to materials slightly beyond their current level of understanding (represented as i+1). By hearing or reading content they mostly understand, learners can gradually internalize new vocabulary and grammar structures.

2. Focus on Communication
   The Natural Method prioritizes fluency and the ability to communicate over grammatical perfection. Errors are seen as a natural part of the learning process and are not heavily penalised, reducing anxiety and encouraging learners to express themselves.

3. Emotional Element
   Emotional factors like anxiety, motivation and enjoyment greatly influence language acquisition. When learners are in a relaxed state, achieved by removing the anxiety linked to the pressure to produce perfect grammar, it is easier for them to get through the initial phase which is arguably the hardest and where most give up. It is also proven to be easier for the brain to absorb and retain new information if the learner is actually interested in the language and its underlying culture, which is why he have included extensive cultural insights, historical and modern pop culture elements in our language course.

4. Stages of Language Acquisition
   Scholars have identified the following stages in the language acquisition process of young children:

   • Pre-production: The "silent period," where learners focus on listening and understanding without speaking.

   • Early Production: Learners begin using simple words and phrases.

   • Speech Emergence: Learners can construct longer sentences and express ideas more freely.

   • Intermediate Fluency: Learners develop more complex language skills and can engage in meaningful conversations.

   • Advanced Fluency: Learners achieve near-native proficiency.

     The goal of our courses is thus to mimic the natural language acquisition process without overwhelming the learner with long and tedious lessons but ensuring gradual gains so that he/she remains committed to his/her fluency goal.

5. Meaningful Interaction
   Instead of rote memorization of single words and grammar rules over and over, the Natural Method encourages activities that involve real-world communication to help retain information. This is why we have included storytelling and role-playing scenarios that simulate everyday situations, with exercises that allow the learner to understand his/her current level and thus improve upon specific elements.

UNCOVER THE TRUE KAZAKHSTAN

Download our complete Kazakh language course to learn Hungarian in 30 days and finally become fluent. Start speaking from the first day!

You will receive not only all the contents available on our website in a convenient pdf or epub formats but also additional contents, including bonus Vocabulary, more Grammar structures and exclusive Cultural insights with additional vocabulary that you won't in any other textbook or Estonian language course.

The additional Vocabulary includes 200 specific topics and more than 15.000 of the most important words. The additional Grammar explanations allow you to create any phrase to express yourself freely while the Culture section contains interesting information that only native Kazakhs would know about politics, history, customs and more!

MORE LANGUAGE COURSES

Have you mastered Kazakh?

Well done on reaching this incredible milestone! We’d love to hear about your experience to help us refine our lessons and create even more exciting content. Share your feedback with us anytime at info@learnkazakh.com

Looking for your next language adventure?

Check out the list of languages below and explore our recommended, free learning resources. Each language offers a unique way to expand your cultural and linguistic horizons:

• Learn Russian: Discover the shared history of Central Asia and Eastern Europe through this influential and widely spoken language.

• Learn Uzbek: Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Uzbekistan, a vital hub on the ancient Silk Road.

• Learn German: Dive into Germany’s thriving industries and its global influence in technology and engineering.

• Learn French: Experience the elegance of French cuisine, art, and its cultural contributions to the world.

• Learn Chinese: Explore the language of the world's largest population, key to understanding its booming economy and historical innovations.

• Learn Persian (Farsi): Discover Iran’s breathtaking architecture and the poetic heritage of Rumi and Hafez through its language.

• Learn Estonian: Connect with Estonia’s digital innovation and its melodic language steeped in Nordic-Baltic traditions.

• Learn Italian: Appreciate Italy’s iconic art, music, and culinary masterpieces by learning its romantic language.

• Learn Modern Hebrew: Unlock Israel’s vibrant technological and religious heritage through this revived ancient language.

• Learn Georgian: Experience Georgia’s legendary hospitality and explore the stunning Caucasus Mountains through its unique language and script.

• Learn Swahili: Step into East Africa’s dynamic markets and coastal culture by mastering its lingua franca.

• Learn Romanian: Delve into Romania’s folklore, including the mysterious legends of Dracula, through its beautiful language.

• Learn Polish: Explore Poland’s rich cultural history and its lively urban centers like Kraków and Warsaw.

• Learn Ukrainian: Understand Ukraine’s resilience and lyrical traditions through its expressive language.

• Learn Lithuanian: Experience Lithuania’s ancient pagan festivals and its deep cultural roots through its historic language.

• Learn Armenian: Discover Armenia’s ancient churches and monasteries while mastering its unique alphabet and language.

• Learn Finnish: Dive into Finland’s innovative education system and its serene, natural landscapes with this distinctive language.

• Learn Slovak: Explore Slovakia’s medieval castles and vibrant folk traditions through its Central European language.

• Learn Albanian: Embrace Albania’s untouched beaches and Ottoman-inspired architecture by learning its unique language.

• Learn Danish: Discover Denmark’s cozy hygge culture and cutting-edge sustainability practices through its language.

• Learn Serbian: Explore Serbia’s rich musical and folkloric heritage with this engaging South Slavic language.

• Learn Afrikaans: Connect with South Africa’s stunning landscapes and cultural diversity through this simplified offshoot of Dutch.

• Learn Slovene: Appreciate Slovenia’s breathtaking Alpine landscapes and sustainable tourism through its charming language.

• Learn Wolof: Experience Senegal’s vibrant storytelling and music traditions by learning this widely spoken West African language.

• Learn Inuit: Venture into the Arctic and explore its unique cultural heritage through the Inuit language.

• Learn Kazakh: Immerse yourself in Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical richness, reflecting the vast steppes and nomadic heritage.

• Learn Hungarian: Master the intricate grammar and historic roots of Hungary’s language, connected to its architectural wonders.

• Learn Norwegian: Discover Norway’s stunning fjords and vibrant traditions through its melodic language.

• Learn Czech: Unlock the charm of Prague and delve into Czechia’s rich literary and artistic culture through its language.

• Learn Greek: Explore Greece’s ancient history and mythology while mastering the language of its enduring culture.

• Learn Bulgarian: Dive into Bulgaria’s vibrant folklore and traditional dances while mastering its unique Slavic language.

• Learn Tigrinya: Connect with the rich cultural heritage of Eritrea and Ethiopia by mastering Tigrinya’s unique script and linguistic depth.

• Learn Latvian: Immerse yourself in Latvia’s poetic traditions and Baltic heritage while exploring the intricacies of its language.

• Learn Korean: Experience Korea’s dynamic culture, from K-pop to traditional hanbok, by mastering Hangul and its linguistic nuances.

• Learn Mongolian: Journey through Mongolia’s vast steppes and nomadic traditions while learning its fascinating language and script.

• Learn Spanish: Explore the diverse cultures of Spain and Latin America while learning one of the most widely spoken global languages.

• Learn Portuguese: Discover Portugal’s maritime history and Brazil’s vibrant traditions through the rich sounds of Portuguese.

• Learn Dutch: Engage with the Netherlands’ innovative spirit and historical legacy by learning Dutch, a language full of character.

Choose your next language and uncover the story of its people, culture, and traditions!