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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Turkmenistan: Language Situation

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Turkmenistan, located in the Transcaspian region, has more than 4.8 million inhabitants, of which 85% are Turkmen, 5% Uzbeks, and 4% Russians. Its official national language is Turkmen, spoken by about 72%. Russian is spoken by 12%. In the post-Soviet period, the functions of Turkmen have been broadened and consolidated. Though the language policy aims at limiting the influence of Russian, this language has maintained much of its importance in public communication.