•Think about a language that people speak in Kazakhstan. Discuss in small groups. How many people speak it today and where? What interesting words or phrases should people know in this language? • Do some research. Find out more information about the language you chose. What do you know about its history? When did people start writing it and has the writing system changed? Is the language 'endangered' today? What can be done to 'save' the language? • Create a poster to raise awareness of the language and present it in class. Write an introduction using the information that you collected from your research. Include a list of interesting words and phrases in that language and their meanings in English. Write two basic dialogues in that language to help English-speaking visitors communicate. For example, at the train station, asking for directions, etc. Include a translation in English. Illustrate your poster with photos or drawings. Practise presenting the poster to your class.

### Introduction to the Kazakh Language Kazakh is the state language of Kazakhstan, a country located in Central Asia. It belongs to the Turkic language family and is spoken by approximately 11 million people today. The majority of Kazakh speakers live in Kazakhstan, but there are also communities in China, Russia, Mongolia, and other countries where Kazakhs have settled. ### Interesting Words and Phrases in Kazakh 1. **Сәлеметсіз бе? (Salemetsiz be?)** - Hello, how are you? 2. **Рақмет! (Rakhmet!)** - Thank you! 3. **Кешіріңіз (Keshiriniz)** - Excuse me / I'm sorry 4. **Иә (Ia)** - Yes 5. **Жоқ (Zhok)** - No 6. **Бұл не? (Bul ne?)** - What is this? 7. **Қанша? (Qansha?)** - How much? ### Basic Dialogues in Kazakh #### Dialogue 1: At the Train Station **Kazakh:** - **Сәлем! Теміржол станциясы қайда? (Salem! Temirjol stantsiyasy qaida?)** - **Теміржол станциясы алда, солға бұрылыңыз. (Temirjol stantsiyasy alda, solğa bwrılıñız.)** - **Рақмет! (Rakhmet!)** **English Translation:** - **Hello! Where is the train station?** - **The train station is ahead, turn left.** - **Thank you!** #### Dialogue 2: Asking for Directions **Kazakh:** - **Сәлем! Менің жаяу жүруім керек. (Salem! Menin zhayau zhürüm kerek.)** - **Сізге көмек керек пе? (Sizge kömek kerek pe?)** - **Иә, мені базарға жеткізіңізші. (Ia, meni bazarga zhetkizіñіzshі.)** **English Translation:** - **Hello! I need to walk.** - **Do you need help?** - **Yes, please take me to the market.** ### History of the Kazakh Language Kazakh has a rich history deeply intertwined with the culture and lifestyle of the Kazakh people. The language has evolved over centuries, influenced by various historical contexts, including the periods of the Silk Road and the interactions with neighboring nations. **Writing System:** Kazakh has undergone several changes in its writing system. Historically, it was written in Arabic script before the adoption of the Latin alphabet in the 1920s. Subsequently, it switched to the Cyrillic alphabet during the Soviet era. Recently, there have been initiatives to transition back to a Latin-based script. ### Is Kazakh an Endangered Language? Despite the current number of speakers, Kazakh faces challenges due to the influence of Russian, especially in urban areas. However, efforts are underway to promote the language through education and media. ### What Can Be Done to 'Save' the Language? 1. **Educational Programs:** Implementing more Kazakh language courses in schools and universities. 2. **Media Promotion:** Increasing the presence of Kazakh in television, radio, and online platforms. 3. **Cultural Events:** Organizing festivals and events to celebrate Kazakh culture and language. 4. **Community Engagement:** Encouraging families to speak Kazakh at home and in communities. ### Poster Creation For the poster, include the following elements: - Title: "Kazakh Language: A Treasure of Kazakhstan" - Introduction: Include the introduction text above. - Interesting Words and Phrases: List them with translations, as shown above. - Basic Dialogues: Include both dialogues with English translations. - Illustrations: Add photos or drawings related to Kazakh culture, such as traditional clothing, landscapes, or food. ### Practicing the Presentation When presenting: - Practice speaking clearly and confidently. - Use the poster as a visual aid to guide your presentation. - Engage with your classmates by asking questions or prompting discussions about the Kazakh language. This structured approach will help raise awareness and appreciation for the Kazakh language. Good luck with your presentation!