Socio-political, social issues reflected in the newspaper «Kazakh» (1913-1918) and the spelling system

Abstract

The newspaper Kazakh (hereinafter – Kazakh), widely distributed among the Kazakh population, was first published on February 2, 1913, in Orenburg and continued until its final issue, No. 265, in 1918. This publication played a pivotal role in awakening the national consciousness of the Kazakh people in the early 20th century, contributing significantly to the cultural and spiritual development of the nation. It introduced innovations in language and graphics and addressed critical socio-political issues. These contributions warrant deeper investigation and public attention to its historical and cultural significance. For nearly seventy years, Kazakh was kept in a "special" archival fund due to political reasons, with its materials excluded from scientific study. Unlike earlier publications such as Turkistan Ulayati Gazeti (Turkestan Newspaper) and Dala Ualayati Gazeti (Steppe Newspaper), and later ones like the magazine Aikap and the newspaper Kazakhstan, Kazakh stood out as a unique and influential publication. Edited by the prominent educator Akhmet Baitursynov, and supported by contributors such as Mirzhakyp Dulatov, Alikhan Bukeikhanov, Khalel Dosmukhamedov, Shakarim Kudaiberdiuly and etc., Kazakh covered vital topics that resonated with the Kazakh people and their aspirations. The aim of the study is to analyze its influence on the Kazakh literary language and publicistic style, and its role in cultural, historical, and political developments. The research methods include content analysis of the publications, historical-philological and comparative analysis, as well as the study of archival materials.