Language beliefs, attitudes and practices in contemporary Kyrgyzstan with particular reference to English

Abstract Kyrgyzstan’s language ecology is shaped by its Turkic roots, with Kyrgyz as the state language and Uzbek as a key minority language. Russian, historically dominant, remains the most widespread foreign language and continues to play a central role in the country’s linguistic hierarchy. Since independence in 1991, English is the most widely taught foreign language, often in English-medium instruction (EMI). Increasing English use reflects broader global trends linked to World Englishes and raises questions about evolving language ideologies in the region. This article traces the development of English in Kyrgyzstan, analyzing its position within a linguistically hybrid and hierarchical setting. It presents new research on university language majors, focusing on their language beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding English in relation to Kyrgyz and Russian. The study highlights emerging patterns of Kyrgyz-Russian-English trilingualism and explores how English functions – whether competitively, subtractively, or complementarily – within this multilingual environment, calling for further research and reflection on language and education policy.