LANGUAGE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR OF STATEHOOD

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
15 March 05

Since January 1, 2005 the department for language has been operating
under the NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. We had a talk
with the head of the department Lernik Hakobian about the functions,
problems and prospects of the department. `Mr. Hakobian, it is certain
that the use of language as a public phenomenon must be controlled. We
would not like to dwell on the problems connected with language
frequently covered in press. First we would like to find out the main
functions and responsibilities of the department.’ L.H.: ` The main
function of the department is implementation of a common policy on
language, administration of the NKR law on language and state language
policy, standardization of the literary Armenian language and its use
in all the spheres of life, organization of scientific conferences,
consultation, etc. devotedto the language policy. The department will
inspect the implementation of the state language policy by the state
governmental and local governmental bodies, meeting the demand for
Armenian language competence of state officials and people involved in
the sphere of service, use of the Armenian language in education,
admittance exams and teaching, paperwork, signs, postal stamps and
envelopes, street advertisement, seals, and if necessary, use of other
languages along with the Armenian. The department will control the use
of Armenian in documents of foreign governmental bodies and companies
liable to governmental control, obligatory teaching of the Armenian
language in ethnic communities, conducting their documentation and
keeping seals in Armenian along with their own language.’ S.K.: `What
measures will you take in case of a breach of the law on language?’
L.H.: `The department has sanctions; according to the civil code,
violation of the law on language is liable to a fine. Generally, there
is punishment for violation of any law. Why should the breach of the
law on language remain unpunished? By the way, the size of the fine is
considerably large.’ S.K.: `Probably, the department will undertake
propaganda among thepopulation.’ L.H.: `Certainly. People, for
example, are not acquainted enough with the law on language, the
requirements of the state language policy. One of the most important
tasks of the department is to work with the population through the
mass media, by way of meetings, discussion of their applications and
suggestions. Thus, the citizens may consult the department for making
signslater to avoid problems. The survey we conducted in such a short
period of time showed that the relevant body allows installing
advertisement hoardings guided by the law on advertisement neglecting
the law on language. Often, the two laws are breached at the same
time. Similar mistakes happen in other spheres of life. To prevent
this kind of controversies it is necessary to cooperate with the
relevant bodies fulfilling those functions.’ S.K.: `In whatform are
you going to administer control?’ L.H.: `Control will be administered
bythe department in accordance with the relevant laws, the regulations
of the ministry and other legal acts. Time to time we shall inspect
offices to find out whether paperwork is conducted in Armenian. We
shall visit public places to find out if the signs and advertisements
correspond to the law on language. The department will check the
language of the mass media, publications, official speech, education
and culture, the system of foreign languages teaching, etc.’ S.K.:`Do
you have relationships with the similar organization in the Republic
of Armenia?’ L.H.: `So far we have had exchange of experience. The RA
State Language Department formed a consulting group aimed to work with
similar departments. Soon the group will be invited to Artsakh.’

SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN.
15-03-2005