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Ethnolinguistic Features of Kazakh Mourning Etiquette and Expressions of Condolence

Authors

  • Nazym Abdygaliyeva Email ORCID

    Faculty of Philology and World Languages, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
  • Kuldarhan Smagulova ORCID

    Faculty of Philology and World Languages, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
  • Aydan Irgatoglu ORCID

    School of Foreign Languages, Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, Ankara 06570, Turkey
  • Raushan Koilybayeva ORCID

    Department of Practical English, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan
  • Laura Baymysh ORCID

    Faculty of Pedagogy and Languages, Central Asian Innovative University, Shymkent 160012, Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.10145
Received: 22 May 2025 | Revised: 9 June 2025 | Accepted: 16 June 2025 | Published Online: 6 August 2025

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive linguistic analysis of Kazakh speech acts of condolence as a culturally specific communicative system reflecting unique perceptions of death, grief, and social solidarity. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining primary field data from 46 participants across four regions of Kazakhstan with analysis of 118 written condolence texts and supplementary ethnographic sources. The methodological foundation,integrates speech act theory with Hymes'ethnography of communication framework, utilizing the SPEAKING model to reveal complex interrelationships between various parameters of condolence communication. Results demonstrate significant variability in linguistic means depending on spatiotemporal context, social characteristics of participants, and communicative goals. The analysis reveals the syncretic nature of Kazakh condolences, combining pre-Islamic beliefs with Islamic traditions. Substantial gender differentiation manifests in greater emotionality of female condolences through rhythmically organized laments (zhoktau) compared to more pragmatic, philosophically-oriented male expressions. The study identifies distinct temporal organization of mourning rituals, creating a distributed system of condolence expressions across key stages: initial grief (first three days), formal commemoration (seventh day), spiritual transition (fortieth day), and memorial completion (anniversary). Social conditioning significantly influences linguistic choice, with elders employing philosophical maxims, religious figures using Quranic formulas, and younger speakers adopting more restrained expressions. The research documents rich lexical diversity including religious formulas (87.2% frequency), grief expressions (75.5%), and posthumous wishes (68.1%). These findings contribute to understanding culturally-determined communicative practices while demonstrating the necessity of culturally-sensitive approaches in speech act analysis.

Keywords:

Speech Acts of Condolence, Kazakh Culture, Ethnography of Communication, Mourning Etiquette, Linguopragmatics, Gender Differentiation, Culturally-determined Communicative Practices

References

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2025 Vol.7 No.8

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Nazym Abdygaliyeva, Kuldarhan Smagulova, Aydan Irgatoglu, Raushan Koilybayeva, Laura Baymysh

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