Securing of status of Moldavian language as state language by Constitution (Basic Law) of Moldavian Soviet Socialistic republic calls to promotion of full sovereignty of republic and creation of necessary guarantees for its valuable and all-round realisation in all spheres of political, economical, social and cultural life.

Moldavian SSR supports education and satisfaction of cultural demands in native language by Moldavian living outside Republic, and taking into account realities of Moldavian-Rumanian language identity - and Rumanian residing on the territory of USSR.

Attaching to the Moldavian status of state language Moldavian SSR provides protection of constitutional rights and liberties for citizens of any nationality, residing on the territory of Moldavian SSR, independently of language used under conditions of equality of all citizens before the law.

For the purpose of state protection and provision of development of Gagauz language Moldavian SSR ensures necessary guarantees for the consecutive expansion of its social function. Moldavian SSR provides on its territory conditions for application and development of Russian as language of international intercourse of USSR, and also languages of population of other nationalities living in republic.

Chapter 1. General Provisions.

Moldavian language as state one is used in all spheres of political, economical, social and cultural life and in view of this carries out function of language of international intercourse on the territory of republic.

Moldavian SSR guarantees to all residents of republic free teaching of state language at the level necessary for carrying out official duties.

Chapter 2. Rights and Guarantees of the Citizen for the Choice of the Language.

In localities with Gagauz population the right of citizen to use on the above-mentioned relations also Gagauz language is guaranteed.

In localities where majority of population are Ukrainians, Russian, Bulgarian or other nationalities the language of intercourse is mother tongue or other acceptable language.

Chapter 3. Language in State Authority Bodies, Government and Public Organisations, Enterprises, Institutions and Organisations.

Language of business correspondence in state authority bodies, government and public organisations is the state language. In case of need the documents are translated in Russian.

In localities with Gagauz population the working language and language of business correspondence in state authority bodies, government and public organisation is the state, Gagauz or Russian.

Language of arrangements and business correspondence in state authority bodies, government and public organisations in localities where majority of population are Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian or other nationalities is the state native or any acceptable language.

Statements of local state authority bodies, government and public organisations on the territory where majority of population are Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian or other nationality may be adopted in Russian or any acceptable language with subsequent translation in the state language.

When documents are given either Moldavian or Russian or Moldavian and Russian languages are used of the citizen�s choice, in localities with Gagauz population either Moldavian, Gagauz or Russian or Moldavian, Gagauz and Russian.

State authority bodies, government and public organisations, enterprises, institutions and organisations accept and consider documents submitted by citizens in Moldavian or Russian, in localities with population of Gagauz nationality - in Moldavian, Gagauz or Russian language.

Documents presented in other languages must be supplied by translation in Moldavian or Russian language.

Normative and technical documentation may be used in the language of the original.

Taking into account demographical situation and industrial need business correspondence at the enterprises, institutions and organisations, list of which is determined by the Soviet of Ministers of Moldavian SSR according to proposal of district and city Soviets of People�s deputies may also be realised in Russian or any acceptable language.

Correspondence between enterprises, organisations, institutions, situated on the territory of republic is realised in the state language or language of business correspondence.

Chapter 4. Language of Business Correspondence for Criminal, Civil, Administrative Cases, Arbitration Notariat, Bodies of Registration of Civil Status Statement.

Juridical and investigation documents are handed over to defendant, accused and other persons participating in the prosecution after the translation in a language they speak.

In executive committees of local Soviets of people�s deputies the documents are designed in the state language, according to desire of citizens - in Russian as well, in notary�s offices and bodies of registration of civil status statements - in the state and Russian.

Chapter 5. Language in Spheres of People�s Education, Science and Culture.

Pre-school institutions and secondary schools are created on principle of bilinguism in settlements where number of children does not permit to open monolingual pre-school institutions and secondary schools.

Meetings, sessions, audio-visual information in these schools are in corresponding language of education and study equally, whereas business correspondence - in the state language.

For the satisfaction of economic and cultural requirements of the republic educational groups and streams in languages functioning on the territory of Moldavian SSR (Gagauz, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Yiddish) are completed.

In purposeful national groups teaching of special subjects is performed in the native language of the pupils and students.

Pupils and students after graduating from educational institutions go in final exam correspondingly for Moldavian or Russian which creates conditions for expansion of intercourse sphere on the whole territory of the republic.

It is possible to defend thesis in Moldavian, Russian or other language determined by corresponding specialised council.

Chapter 6. Language of Denominations and Information.

Correct spelling of denominations of settlements and other geographical objects is defined by special reference book.

Denomination of squares, streets, lanes, city districts are formed in the state language without translation (in localities with Gagauz population - in the Gagauz), whereas in rural localities with majority of Ukrainian, Russian or Bulgarian nationality - in acceptable language.

Denominations given in inverted commas are translated but not transcribed.

Surname does nvot change by gender, patronymic is used without suffixes.

When Moldavian names and surnames are reproduced in other languages their spelling in the Moldavian is preserved without adaptation.

Spelling of names and surnames of representatives of other nationalities residing in republic is not regulated under the law currently in force.

Blanks used in social sphere (post offices, saving banks, consumer services etc.) are printed in the state and Russian languages (in corresponding localities - in state, Gagauz and Russian languages) and are completed in accordance with the desire of citizen in one of the languages on the blank.

Denominations of articles and provisions, labels on goods, marking, instructions for goods produced in Republic and any visual information presented to the population of republic is designed in the state and Russian languages.

In any case texts of visual information are arranged in order defined by article 28 of the Law currently in force. Script of the texts in the state language must not be smaller than in other languages.

In rural area with majority of Ukrainian, Russian or Bulgarian population visual information may be designed in corresponding languages.

Chapter 7. State Protection of Languages.

Control after observance of Law on functioning of languages on the territory of Moldavian SSR is exercised by the Supreme Soviet of Moldavian SSR through specially created commission and in districts (cities) - corresponding Soviets of People�s Deputies of Moldavian SSR.

Chairman of the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR M. Snegur

Member of the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Moldavian SSR D.Nikelku

City Kishinev, September 1, 1989

Source: Unofficial Translation