Tıl / Тіл

“Men senı jaqsy köremın” (I see you clearly) is an expression meaning “I love you.” There is less directness in Qazaq speech but more a figurative meaning. For example, a pregnant woman might inform her mother about her condition by saying, “Mom, let me tell you something in your ear.” Some words are not spoken but shown or played—if someone passed away, the news was traditionally conveyed through a melody played on the dombyra (a two-stringed lute).
The use of words with multiple and even opposing meanings plays a special role in color symbolism. Qara (black) can signify something negative but also represents origins and deep-rooted connections. Qara şanyraq refers to one’s family home, while qara baqsy describes a shaman or healer connected to his first ancestor who went into magic. Qoñyr (brown) color is connected with the earth and its depths. Qoñyr äuen is literally brown melody, plays deep strings touching the human soul. Kök encompasses blue, green, and grey, symbolically linked to the Sky God Tengri/Täñır. Kök is the color of both the sky and grazing lands, reflecting the belief that everything in these colors is a gift from above.
For decades, Qazaqs were under the Russian Empire and Soviet regime, where Russian culture was actively propagated, and many spoke Russian. Yet, language remained central to national identity and resilience. A well-known Qazaq proverb says, “If you want to destroy a nation, destroy its language.” Cultural memory was preserved through oral literature—whether through spoken word, singing, or performing arts.
In recent years, music has played a crucial role in revitalizing the Qazaq language. The band Ninety One, pioneers of Q-Pop, shattered stereotypes by producing trendy, high-quality songs, making the language appealing to younger generations. At the same time, social media is flooded with adoring videos of Dimaş Qudaibergen, whose global success has inspired fans worldwide to embrace and speak Qazaq.