Writing emails in a foreign language can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. For English speakers learning Kazakh, this task can serve as an excellent opportunity to practice the language and understand cultural nuances. Kazakh, a Turkic language spoken primarily in Kazakhstan, has its own set of norms and conventions for written communication. This article provides a comprehensive guide on writing emails in Kazakh, including tips and tricks to help you navigate this essential skill.
Understanding the Structure of a Kazakh Email
Before diving into the specific phrases and vocabulary, it’s crucial to understand the general structure of a Kazakh email. Like in many other languages, Kazakh emails usually follow a certain format:
1. **Subject Line (Тақырып)**
2. **Greeting (Сәлемдесу)**
3. **Opening Sentence (Кіріспе сөйлем)**
4. **Body (Негізгі мәтін)**
5. **Closing Sentence (Қорытынды сөйлем)**
6. **Farewell (Қоштасу)**
7. **Signature (Қолтаңба)**
1. Subject Line (Тақырып)
The subject line is your email’s first impression. It should be concise and to the point. For instance, if you’re writing to schedule a meeting, your subject line might be “Кездесу уақыты” (Meeting Time).
Examples:
– “Құжаттар туралы сұрақ” (Question About Documents)
– “Жұмыс ұсынысы” (Job Offer)
– “Кездесу ұйымдастыру” (Organizing a Meeting)
2. Greeting (Сәлемдесу)
The greeting sets the tone for your email. In Kazakh, formal greetings are essential, especially if you are writing to someone you don’t know well or someone in a professional setting.
Common Greetings:
– “Құрметті [Name]!” (Dear [Name]!)
– “Ардақты [Name]!” (Respected [Name]!)
For informal emails, especially to friends or close colleagues, you can use:
– “Сәлем [Name]!” (Hello [Name]!)
3. Opening Sentence (Кіріспе сөйлем)
Your opening sentence should establish the purpose of your email. This is where you briefly introduce the main topic or reason for writing.
Examples:
– “Мен сізге [topic] туралы хат жазып отырмын.” (I am writing to you about [topic].)
– “Сізге [reason] бойынша хабарласқым келеді.” (I would like to contact you regarding [reason].)
4. Body (Негізгі мәтін)
The body of your email is where you delve into the details. It’s essential to be clear and concise while providing all necessary information. Break your text into paragraphs to make it easier to read.
Useful Phrases:
– “Бұл мәселе бойынша сіздің пікіріңізді білгім келеді.” (I would like to know your opinion on this matter.)
– “Сізден көмек сұрағым келеді.” (I would like to ask for your help.)
– “Осыған байланысты келесі ақпаратты ұсынғым келеді.” (In this regard, I would like to provide the following information.)
Example Paragraph:
“Сізге келесі аптада болатын кездесу туралы хабарлағым келеді. Кездесу 15 қыркүйекте, сағат 10:00-де біздің кеңседе өтеді. Күн тәртібінде жаңа жобалар мен олардың жүзеге асырылу жолдары талқыланатын болады.”
Translation: “I would like to inform you about the meeting next week. The meeting will take place on September 15th at 10:00 AM in our office. The agenda will include a discussion of new projects and their implementation methods.”
5. Closing Sentence (Қорытынды сөйлем)
Your closing sentence should summarize the main point and indicate any expected actions or responses.
Examples:
– “Сіздің жауабыңызды күтемін.” (I look forward to your response.)
– “Бұл мәселені тез арада шешуіңізді сұраймын.” (I request that you resolve this matter promptly.)
6. Farewell (Қоштасу)
Just like the greeting, the farewell should be appropriate to the level of formality of your email.
Common Formal Farewells:
– “Құрметпен,” (Respectfully,)
– “Ізгі тілекпен,” (With best wishes,)
For informal emails:
– “Сау болыңыз,” (Goodbye,)
– “Кездескенше,” (See you,)
7. Signature (Қолтаңба)
The signature is the final part of your email. In professional settings, it usually includes your full name, title, and contact information.
Example Signature:
“Құрметпен,
Айбек Төлеген
Маркетинг бөлімінің басшысы
+7 (777) 123-45-67”
Translation: “Respectfully,
Aibek Tolegen
Head of Marketing Department
+7 (777) 123-45-67”
Tips for Writing Effective Emails in Kazakh
1. Be Polite and Formal
Kazakh culture places a high value on respect and politeness, especially in written communication. Always use formal language when writing to someone you don’t know well or in a professional context. Address the recipient using their title and last name if you know it.
2. Be Clear and Concise
Avoid lengthy sentences and complex structures. Keep your language simple and your message clear. This is especially important if you are not yet fluent in Kazakh.
3. Use Proper Grammar and Spelling
Pay attention to grammar and spelling, as errors can make your email difficult to understand and appear unprofessional. If you’re unsure about certain words or phrases, use a dictionary or language tool to check them.
4. Be Culturally Aware
Understanding cultural norms can greatly enhance the effectiveness of your communication. For instance, in Kazakh culture, it’s common to inquire about someone’s well-being before getting to the main point of the email.
Example:
“Қалыңыз қалай? Үй-іші аман ба?” (How are you? Is your family well?)
5. Use Templates
If you’re frequently writing emails in Kazakh, consider creating templates for common types of emails such as meeting requests, follow-ups, and thank-you notes. This can save you time and ensure that you maintain a high standard of communication.
Common Phrases and Vocabulary
To help you get started, here are some common phrases and vocabulary that you can use in your emails:
Greetings:
– “Қайырлы таң!” (Good morning!)
– “Қайырлы күн!” (Good afternoon!)
– “Қайырлы кеш!” (Good evening!)
Formal Introductions:
– “Менің атым [Your Name].” (My name is [Your Name].)
– “Мен [Your Position] болып жұмыс істеймін.” (I work as [Your Position].)
Requesting Information:
– “Сізден [information] туралы ақпарат алғым келеді.” (I would like to get information about [information].)
– “Бұл туралы толығырақ айтып берсеңіз.” (Could you tell me more about this?)
Making Requests:
– “Сізден [request] сұрағым келеді.” (I would like to ask for [request].)
– “Бұл мәселе бойынша көмек сұрағым келеді.” (I would like to ask for help regarding this matter.)
Expressing Gratitude:
– “Сізге үлкен рахмет!” (Thank you very much!)
– “Сіздің көмегіңіз үшін алғыс айтамын.” (I appreciate your help.)
Closing Phrases:
– “Сізбен байланыста боламын.” (I will stay in touch with you.)
– “Жауабыңызды күтемін.” (I look forward to your response.)
Example Emails
Let’s put everything together with some example emails.
Formal Email Example:
Subject: Жұмыс ұсынысы
Құрметті Жанар Әбдіқалықова!
Менің атым Айбек Төлеген. Мен ABC компаниясының Маркетинг бөлімінің басшысымын. Сізге біздің компаниямызда бос орын туралы хабарлағым келеді. Бізге тәжірибелі маркетолог қажет. Егер сізді бұл ұсыныс қызықтырса, қосымша ақпарат алу үшін маған хабарласыңыз.
Сіздің жауабыңызды күтемін.
Құрметпен,
Айбек Төлеген
Маркетинг бөлімінің басшысы
+7 (777) 123-45-67
Translation:
Subject: Job Offer
Dear Zhanar Abdykalykova,
My name is Aibek Tolegen. I am the Head of the Marketing Department at ABC Company. I would like to inform you about a job vacancy in our company. We need an experienced marketer. If you are interested in this offer, please contact me for more information.
I look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
Aibek Tolegen
Head of Marketing Department
+7 (777) 123-45-67
Informal Email Example:
Subject: Кездесу ұйымдастыру
Сәлем, Ержан!
Қалың қалай? Үй-іші аман ба? Келесі аптада кездесу ұйымдастырғым келеді. Кездесу 15 қыркүйекте, сағат 10:00-де біздің кеңседе өтеді. Күн тәртібінде жаңа жобалар мен олардың жүзеге асырылу жолдары талқыланатын болады. Сенің қатысуыңды күтемін.
Сау бол,
Айбек
Translation:
Subject: Organizing a Meeting
Hello, Erzhan!
How are you? Is your family well? I would like to organize a meeting next week. The meeting will take place on September 15th at 10:00 AM in our office. The agenda will include a discussion of new projects and their implementation methods. I look forward to your participation.
Goodbye,
Aibek
Conclusion
Writing emails in Kazakh can be a gratifying experience that enhances your language skills and deepens your understanding of Kazakh culture. By following the structure and tips provided in this guide, you can write clear, polite, and effective emails. Practice regularly, and don’t hesitate to seek feedback from native speakers to improve your skills. Happy emailing!