LANGUAGE, ETHNIC IDENTITY, AND ADAPTATION OF ETHNIC MIGRANTS IN POST-SOVIET KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

In this work the author considers the issue of ethnic migration in the Republic of Kazakhstan and analyzes the problems of the adaptation and integration of repatriates into Kazakhstani society. The key issue of the research is the expectations of ethnic Kazakh repatriates versus the reality of their life on returning to their ethnic homeland. The author considers such issues as the ethnic identity of migrants, the linguistic adaptation of repatriates, the social and economic difficulties they face, culture shock, and the stereotypes that others have about them. Special attention is paid to the issue of “insider/outsider†and the way these lines are drawn in Kazakhstani society today.