Kazakh a~ɯ problem

Surface vs written forms

The following words I've heard pronounced in the following ways:

• jaqsı [ʒɑχsɑ]
• balıqşı [bɑlɯqʃɑ]
• Kg: taraza [tɑrɑzɯ]

Cognates

Vocab

• Kz: qattı 'strong'; Uz: qatta 'big'
• Kz: injir 'fig'; Uz: änjir 'fig'
• Kz: pikir 'poor'; fakir 'beggar'
• Kz: sayasat 'politics'; siyasät
• Kz: ustara 'razor'; ustura
• Kz: qaya; Tt: qıya

Functional Morphemes

• Question Particle:
  • Kz: MA
  • Kg: -BI
  • Uz: -mi
  • Tk: -mI
  • (PrTk, most other Turkic: -mI)
• 1st person singular copula / present-tense verbal "agreement":
  • Kk: -MIn
  • Kg: -MIn
  • Kaa: -MAn
  • Uz: -mAn
  • (PrTk: -man)

Russian vs. Kazakh

Kazakh/Russian versions of the same words (toponyms, mostly):

• Kz: Qarağandı, Ru: Karagandá
• Kz: Almatı, Ru: Almatá/Almatý
• Kz: Jambıl/Jambal??, Ru: Jambýl