LANGUAGE POLICIES OF THE USSR: THE REVIVAL OF NATIVE LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION IN KYRGYZSTAN

The language and education policies followed by the USSR were decisive in the use, adoption, dissemination and attainment of the current status of the Russian language, which is widely used in Kyrgyzstan and makes one wonder why Kyrgyz people still speak Russian. The language policies of Lenin's time were glorified and taught to the native nations in terms of learning the Russian language voluntarily, free from pressure. During Stalin's time, the policy became stricter and became mandatory. With Gorbachev coming to power, policies encouraging ethnic awakening were implemented, and with the collapse of the USSR, attempts to create linguistic states in the Republics began. Due to different factors the Russian language still maintains its importance in Kyrgyzstan, while the Kyrgyz state's efforts to revive and popularize its native language in all areas, to develop the language and to gain its national and international prestige continue periodically.