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Abstract

Abstract:

This paper prioritizes language as a factor in adjustment difficulties among Kazakhs faced by ethnic Kazakhs migrating from China to Kazakhstan. With the passage of time, the challenges of adaptation for Qandas have emerged as a significant and complex issue. Through a comprehensive literature review spanning from 2014 to 2025, I will illustrate how language acts as a critical mediator shaping both individual cognition and practical social integration. Within this framework, relevance also begins to encompass the second generation of Qandas.

I argue that the linguistic shifts experienced during the educational process profoundly impact the development of their self-identity. Including the MOI(Medium of Instruction) choosing issue, writing system conversion, and language function in the actual workplace, etc. Key factors include the selection of the MOI, the conversion between divergent writing systems, and the consideration of the functional role of language within the professional workplace. These factors reveal diverse social phenomena that persist despite various government policies aimed at supporting and improving the Qandas integration process. To fully understand the current situation, it is essential to account for the initial Chinese educational background of these migrants, as the context is vital for understanding their baseline identity markers prior to migration. Furthermore, the internalized attitudes toward the three primary languages — Kazakh, Russian, and Mandarin — similarly influence their sense of adaptation and belonging. By manifesting the Intersectionality of ethnic identity, economic considerations, and language usage, seeking solutions to the challenges and the future prospects.

By analyzing the intersectionality of ethnic identity, economic pressures, and language usage, this paper identifies solutions to current challenges and outlines future prospects for this population.

Keywords:

Repatriation Policy of Kazakhstan, Language Adaptation, Ethnic Kazakhs, Qandas, Migration