DUSHANBE, October 5, 2010, Asia-Plus — A meeting dedicated to Tajikistan’s State Language Day was held in Dushanbe today.
The meeting participants included representatives from Tajik intelligentsia, MPs, heads of ministries and organizations, researchers, etc.
Addressing the meeting, President Emomali Rahmon noted that the country’s new law on state language that took effect on October 5, 2009 met international standards and took into account issue related to use of languages of other nationalities living in the country.
“All ethnic groups in the country have the right to choose in which language they want their children to be educated,” said the president, “However, all nationals of Tajikistan must know the state language.”
He also noted that in the high-tech era Tajik youth must know at least two foreign languages along with the Tajik language.
Time has come to test knowledge of candidates for official posts of the state language, Rahmon stressed.
The Tajik head of state offered to set up the Center for Tajik Language.
We will recall that the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) adopted the new law on state language on October 1, 2010. On July 21, 2010, President Rahmon signed the law on making amendments to the country’s law on holidays. Under these amendments, State Language Day is now celebrated on October 5. Before that, Tajikistan celebrated State Language Day on July 22 (Tajik was designated as the state language on July 22, 1989).
