The inspections cover various venues, such as cafes, restaurants, beauty salons, and shops, to ensure that their signs and names are properly formatted in the state language.
As noted by Erkayim Mamatkarim kyzy, a leading specialist in the social development department of the city hall regarding the state language, about 500 establishments have already received warnings, and some signs have been dismantled.
“Currently, a raid is being conducted in Osh to monitor the inscriptions on signs. According to Article 26 of the constitutional law ‘On the State Language,’ the text must first be in the state language and then in the official one. A special commission checks all enterprises in the city for compliance with language norms. Entrepreneurs have previously received multiple warnings and fines. We have the right to demand the removal of signs if they do not comply with the legislation. In most cases, the owners understand the situation. Inspections will continue until all signs are brought into compliance with the law,” she emphasized.
According to Baktyyar Ibragimov, head of the Southern Interregional Department of the Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Innovations of the Kyrgyz Republic, registered trademarks are protected in their original form.
“Establishment names must comply with language legislation — they must be written in the state or official languages. In cases provided for by law, the use of foreign languages is permitted. Owners can register brands in the Kyrgyz language and use them. For example, citizens of Kyrgyzstan can acquire international brands through franchising. If a trademark is registered, it is protected regardless of the language. Registration is valid for 10 years. As of November 2025, 113 trademarks have been registered,” he added.
Gallery: Nearly 500 establishments serving the public in Osh received warnings regarding the state language
At the end of October, the mayor of Osh stated that the names of cafes and restaurants, as well as other commercial entities, must be written in the Kyrgyz language must be in the Kyrgyz language.
According to him, at that time, the names of various establishments in the city were presented in English, Latin, Chinese, Arabic, and Uzbek languages. All owners must correct this by November 10 to ensure that the names comply with the Kyrgyz language.
Authorized bodies, together with the commission on the state language, have been tasked with addressing this issue.
