Several questions must be answered before introducing a single alphabet in Turkic countries. For example, which country will lead this process? Each Turkic state seeks to protect its cultural, economic, and political status. In choosing an alphabet, the question of which state’s rules will prevail may become controversial.

Over the past thirty years, the idea of ​​creating a standard alphabet based on the Latin alphabet has been repeatedly discussed among the countries of the Turkic world. In this process, aimed at uniting the peoples of Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other Turkic states, new challenges and opportunities arise. The new alphabet embodies writing, national identity, cultural heritage, and the desire to enter the future. Changing the alphabet at the international level divides or unites two continents on river banks. In this sense, this initiative can bridge the two banks of the river of Turkic unity. 

Unity through the ages

Today, different alphabets are used in Turkic countries: the Latin alphabet is widespread in Uzbekistan, Türkiye, and Kazakhstan, and the Cyrillic alphabet still dominates in some countries. Thanks to a single alphabet, there is hope that cultural and linguistic unity will be ensured between the fraternal peoples.

In the 1920s, the Turkic peoples began to switch to the Latin alphabet. At that time, the Turkic-speaking republics of the former Soviet Union adopted the Latin alphabet, and this movement became famous as “Yanalif” (the new alphabet). For example, at the First All-Union Turkological Congress, held in 1926 in Baku, the Turkic peoples discussed the issue of cooperation on a new alphabet. In particular, the Tatar, Uzbek, and Azerbaijani peoples widely used the Latin-based alphabet. This process was stopped in the 1940s, and the Turkic republics had to return to the Cyrillic alphabet. 

After that, although there was a small break in the Turkic peoples’ written closeness, they always maintained a connection based on their language. The historical process is being restored, a new step is being taken, and the desire for unification through the Latin alphabet is growing again. The single alphabet symbolizes “one nation, one culture” in writing among peoples.

A single alphabet – revival of languages, strengthening of cultural unity

A single Turkic alphabet based on the Latin alphabet will strengthen the cultural integration of the Turkic countries and facilitate relations. Fraternal countries can quickly get acquainted with each other’s literature, media, and scientific works.

Development of economic cooperation

Thanks to a single alphabet, trade and economic relations between Turkic countries will be activated. This factor is also essential in providing goods and services and the convenient and prompt conclusion of trade contracts.

Growing influence of Turkic languages ​​on the world stage

A Latin alphabet is an essential step in promoting Turkic languages ​​internationally. As is known, the Latin alphabet is official and widely used in many countries worldwide. By switching to this alphabet, the Turkic countries can show their language even more vividly in the global information space.

The issue of national and cultural identity

Each Turkic state has its own cultural and historical heritage. Individual alphabets of fraternal nations were adopted as a cultural symbol. Introducing a single alphabet may require these countries to abandon their historical writing.

Translating historical works and literature written and published in Cyrillic to the new script is complex. For the older generation, works and documents in Cyrillic are a memory and a living educational aid. When switching to a single alphabet, their access to older sources is limited. Boundaries in understanding historical information may arise between these nations.

Financial and organizational problems

The introduction of a single alphabet requires enormous funds. Educational programs in schools and universities must be revised, and new textbooks and literature must be published. This process requires considerable investments from the state budget and can change the financial situation of businesspeople and citizens.

Issues to be resolved

Several questions must be answered before introducing a single alphabet in Turkic countries. For example, which country will lead this process? Each Turkic state seeks to protect its cultural, economic, and political status. In choosing an alphabet, the issue of which state’s rules will prevail may become controversial.

How do we resolve issues of linguistic differences? In particular, phonetic differences may prevent the merging of alphabets. In some Turkic languages, each of the existing phonemes requires a special symbol.

The balance between unity and identity

In short, introducing a single alphabet for the Turkic peoples is not only a step towards integrating cultures and languages, but also a step towards restoring the historical connection between peoples. Such an alphabet can become a symbol of the written unity of the Turkic peoples. Therefore, to preserve its cultural identity, each nation must not go against innovation, but take the initiative and strive to meet the demands of the times. A single alphabet is like a new branch growing on an old tree: its fruits can serve the beautiful and bright future of nations. 

Azizbek Nakhanov, UzA