In an interview with 24.kg, Makhabat shared her impressions of life in Germany and how she promotes the Kyrgyz language.
Photo from the interviewee's archive. Makhabat Sadyrbek
— I was born and raised in Kyrgyzstan, where I graduated from school No. 71 in Bishkek and enrolled in Bishkek Humanities University. In my third year, I was awarded a DAAD scholarship, which brought me to Germany in 1999. Currently, I live in Halle, not far from Berlin, and I periodically visit Turkey for health reasons.
— How did you adapt to life in Germany? Did you quickly get used to the local culture and lifestyle? Do you feel like part of society?
— Germany immediately attracted me, and after five months of scholarship, I continued my studies here. The adaptation process was smooth: I mastered the language faster than the system and norms of life. German culture demands precision and discipline. I completed my bachelor's degree, master's degree, attended a school of diplomacy, and defended my dissertation. Gradually, I became part of the professional community, although migration always leaves a feeling of dual identity — being part of one world while also being between two.
— What surprises you in Germany?
— I am pleased with the resilience of institutions, respect for knowledge and professionalism, as well as attention to detail. It can be difficult to cope with excessive bureaucracy and formalism in relationships. One of the significant impressions was the realization that my efforts are genuinely noticed and supported. Scholarships and funding have played an important role in my attitude towards Germany and my professional path.
— How is the job market in Germany? Are there difficulties, and what is the competition like?
— Overall, competition in the job market is high, especially in fields with a large number of specialists. Immigrants may need more time to validate their qualifications, but with a clear profile and official documents, the system works fairly well. I have been working in academia for over 25 years, and it is inherently international and interdisciplinary: the focus is on projects and the quality of expertise, while origin remains in the background.
— Since 2021, you have served as a sworn translator for Kyrgyz, German, and Russian languages. Does this work require different skills compared to a regular translator?
— A judicial translator in Germany is a strictly regulated profession that requires official certification and ongoing validation of qualifications. With the growing Kyrgyz-speaking community, there has been a need for professional judicial translation, which has defined my career path.
Judicial translation is not only about working with language but also involves high responsibility, requiring knowledge of the legal system, ethics, and procedures, as well as maximum concentration and discipline.
Makhabat Sadyrbek
As the only translator of the Kyrgyz language in Germany, I often work without the possibility of referring to established practices, and all responsibility for accuracy falls on me. This makes me proud: the Kyrgyz language now has official application in the legal system, and my compatriots can understand foreign laws in their native language. This expands the possibilities of the language, integrating it into a new legal context.
— You have worked on translations of feature films, popular science documentaries, and literary works. Which project was particularly interesting for you?
— I find projects where language intertwines with cultural context — feature films and literary texts — especially fascinating. I was delighted to work on the films of Aktan Arym Kubat and the theatrical production "Nest," presented in Berlin last year. In such moments, I felt like a mediator and a "bridge" between cultures, rather than just a translator.
— Is there a literary work or historical document you would like to translate in the future?
— I would like to work on historical films such as "Kurmandjan Datka," "Kara Kyrgyz," "Syingan Kylch," as well as documentaries about Urkun. I believe it is important to present these works to the German audience for reflection and reprocessing of historical past.
A special challenge for me would be to translate the trilogy "Manas" in the version of Sayakbay Karalaev — I grew up with this epic.
— Your work Comprehensive Grammar of the Kyrgyz Language was recently published on Amazon. How long did you work on the book, and what inspired you to create it?
— The work on the book took many years. The inspiration came from the realization that the Kyrgyz language is almost absent in the form of a modern grammar for the international audience, and I wanted to fill this gap. The project, which started as a hobby, turned into a long-term research and social effort that I conducted alongside my main activities.
As a result, I created two substantial works of an encyclopedic nature — in German and English. The latter summarizes my knowledge and skills in linguistics and reflects the analytical structure formed during the study of different languages.
— Were there difficult aspects of the Kyrgyz language to explain to an English-speaking audience?
— The structure of the Kyrgyz language differs significantly from Indo-European languages: the agglutinative principle and the law of singharmonism pose serious challenges for English speakers. Some aspects, such as the category of future tense and modal meanings, are interpreted ambiguously. Working on the verbal system required significant time, thorough research, and finding a balance between accuracy and accessibility.
— What feedback have you received about the book so far?
— I have received positive feedback from Kyrgyz historians, linguists, and journalists who consider this work an important contribution to the preservation of the language and historical memory. I am particularly touched by the responses from the Kyrgyz diaspora abroad: they are glad that there is now a basis for teaching the language to children who grew up outside Kyrgyzstan.
Among foreign learners of the Kyrgyz language, there is an active community, and in a specialized Facebook group with over 10,000 members, I have received many supportive comments.
However, many report difficulties in acquiring the book, as Amazon does not yet deliver to Kyrgyzstan, and I am trying to solve this problem. For colleagues-linguists and researchers in Central Asia, the book has become proof that the Kyrgyz language should be the subject of modern scientific analysis.
— Are there currently enough quality educational materials for promoting the Kyrgyz language? What is lacking?
— Unfortunately, at the moment, there are very few quality materials for learning the Kyrgyz language. If you search online for Kyrgyz language resources, you can find only a few publications that are genuinely suitable for teaching.
The last relatively systematic educational resource of international level was a project created back in 2009 with the support of the Soros Foundation.
Makhabat Sadyrbek
First and foremost, there is a lack of modern, systematic, and multilingual textbooks for adults and children.
— What is your main advice for those living abroad but wanting to preserve their native language?
— I recommend living in your native language as much as possible: read, write, and speak it, not hesitating to pass it on to your children. I see many inspiring examples where parents create a language environment — organizing clubs, readings, or showing films. Ultimately, the language is preserved where it is loved and where its speakers take responsibility for it.
— What do you miss while being away from your homeland? How often do you visit Kyrgyzstan?
— I miss spontaneous communication, live intonations, and the native landscape. I come to Kyrgyzstan when I have the opportunity, but unfortunately not as often as I would like.
— How do you find balance between work and personal life?
— It is a constant process. I am learning to set boundaries and leave time for myself. I have an autoimmune disease, and I have been living with it for many years, so it is very important to take care of my strengths. This is one of the reasons I chose the path of independent academic and translation collaboration — it allows me to organize my life according to my capabilities. I regularly receive treatment, including in Turkey, and I try to distribute my energy wisely to implement long-term projects.
— How do you see your near future?
— In five years, I hope to continue my academic and translation activities, deepening projects related to language and cultural mediation. It is important for me to create sustainable resources for learning the Kyrgyz language and to work at the intersection of science and social practice. I want to expand international cooperation and participate in projects where language serves as a tool for conscious dialogue between cultures. At the same time, it is extremely important for me to maintain a balance between professional fulfillment, personal responsibility, and quality of life.
I want the language to be perceived not as a symbol of the past but as a living resource for the future in the dialogue of cultures and societies.
Against the backdrop of discussions about the status of the Kyrgyz and Russian languages, I want to emphasize: the Kyrgyz language should develop not in opposition but in harmony with other languages.
Makhabat Sadyrbek
It develops in its own way, as a conscious choice and an important part of identity, coexisting in a multilingual space with respect for other languages.
