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Linguistic Fragmentation at the Micro-Level: Economic Returns to Speaking the Right Language(s) in a Multilinguistic Society

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  • Alisher Aldashev
  • Alexander M. Danzer

Abstract

This paper investigates the economic returns to language skills and bilingualism in Kazakhstan, a multi-ethnic country that started switching its official state language from Russian to Kazakh in 1997. Using newly assembled data for four major cities in 1996 and 2010, we find heterogenous wage premia and penalties for speaking Kazakh across cities and over time. We relate the wage patterns to (i) changing demographic environments, (ii) changing gaps in school resources between schools with Russian vs. Kazakh language of instruction, and (iii) changing labour market segmentation. While wage differences narrowed in line with a balancing language policy in some cities, others experienced a rise in labour market segmentation. Regionally emerging wage penalties for Kazakh fluency might impede the formation of a bilingual society, as politically desired.

Suggested Citation

  • Alisher Aldashev & Alexander M. Danzer, 2020. "Linguistic Fragmentation at the Micro-Level: Economic Returns to Speaking the Right Language(s) in a Multilinguistic Society," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(12), pages 2308-2326, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:56:y:2020:i:12:p:2308-2326
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2020.1779927
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    Cited by:

    1. Fujii, Tomoki & Nakajima, Maki & Xu, Sijia, 2021. "Teaching in the Right Context: Textbook Supply Program, Language, and Vocabulary Ability in Vietnam," Economics and Statistics Working Papers 2-2021, Singapore Management University, School of Economics.
    2. Tomoki Fujii & Maki Nakajima & Sijia Xu, 2023. "Teaching in the right context: Textbook supply program, language, and learning," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(2), pages 797-824, May.

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