Toponymic space of Kazakhstan: issues of standardization and codification

Abstract

The article highlights the need to develop new standards related to the unification of the spelling
of toponyms in Kazakhstan. Toponyms play an important role in the life of society. They are a reflection of the
social, cultural, political transformations that take place in society at one time or another. They are an integral
part of international communication.
The intensification of the processes of renaming geographical names involves their coordination and
control by public administration bodies, which means their systematization and standardization. The issue of
standardization of geographical names in Kazakhstan is especially important today, as the transition to the Latin
alphabet is being actively discussed in the country. The article considers the experience of other countries in
resolving such issues, using the example of geographic names of two cities (Nur-Sultan and Aktobe) and shows
the reflection of existing discrepancies in the spelling of Kazakh toponyms and their transfer into Russian.
Discovered features allowed to reveal the problems concerning the codification and normalization of the
Kazakh language. The authors have given some recommendations that are necessary for the systematization
and unification of the toponyms of Kazakhstan.