I've been wanting to delve into this question in more detail. Is it necessary to translate a website into Kazakh? After all, this is my personal website. And so, I began to read the laws, the terminology of the articles, and the general provisions. And here's what I've found:
So, I decided to order the development of a website for my company. My tasks are to get the maximum number of customers, promote my company: brand, services, and products. To inform my clients about promotions and novelties. My goal is to get more profit by achieving the set tasks.
Let's start with the fact that website hosting in the KZ domain zone should be in Kazakhstan. Let's take it as a basis that I want the site in the KZ zone. Therefore, ideas like "switch to COM or RU" are not suitable.
What is a website in legal terminology? A website, also known as an Internet resource, is defined as follows:
"46) internet resource - an electronic information resource displayed in a textual, graphic, audiovisual or other form, placed on hardware and software complex, having a unique network address and/or domain name and functioning on the Internet;"
Excellent, let's unravel the ball of yarn further. What is mass media? And does my website belong to the mass media? I'm looking for a definition of a media outlet:
"4) mass media - periodical print publication, television and radio channels, documentary films, audiovisual recordings and other forms of periodic or continuous public dissemination of mass information, including Internet resources;"
Emphasizing the last clarification "Internet resources", it means that it still applies. Here comes the question - I remember that to be a mass media, you need to register somewhere as a mass media. I'm looking for this information. Here's what we find:
"8-1) online publication - internet resource, which has passed the registration procedure with the authorized body, information and communication infrastructure of which is located in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan;"
That is, an internet resource is a more extensive concept than an online publication. Based on this and the above, my future website is an internet resource and therefore a mass media.
The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan", as well as amendments to the Law "On Mass Media", oblige electronic media to broadcast a certain volume of content in the state language. Article 3 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Mass Media" entitled "Language of Mass Media" establishes that mass media are disseminated in the state and other languages.
Accordingly, we look for a competent translator and move on to making a version of the site in the Kazakh language.
In simple terms, a website is information about your company that is "continuously and publicly" provided to the people. You might say, "But I'm not adding anything, no news." However, for good search engine optimization, the information on the site should be constantly updated, useful articles, descriptions of goods and services should be added, and you will constantly add news about your company there. And this already falls under the concept of "other forms of periodic or continuous public dissemination of mass information."
Returning to my goals and objectives, let's talk about advertising because a website is my advertisement on the internet. And the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan of December 19, 2003, in article 6, says:
"2. Advertising in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, except for periodicals, is distributed in the Kazakh and Russian languages, as well as at the discretion of the advertiser and in other languages."
And again, we must obey the law.
In general, Kazakhstan is a multinational country, and the Kazakh language is undoubtedly the state language:
"The state language of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the Kazakh language. The state language is the language of state administration, legislation, judiciary, and paperwork that operates in all areas of public relations throughout the state."
Also:
"In state organizations and organizations, Russian language is officially used on an equal basis with Kazakh language."
That is, the use of only one language and thereby suppressing the other is punishable by law.
"In the Republic of Kazakhstan, the rights of citizens based on language shall not be violated."
Therefore, many conclusions can be drawn from what I have written. Personally, I now understand more or less whether I need to make a website in two languages. I need to!
This is my personal opinion, and I only analyzed zakon.kz. If someone with a legal education is more competent in this direction, I would be glad to receive comments with proof links.