Azerbaijan brings back Latin alphabet

The former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan is officially changing its script today - for the third time in a century.

The Cyrillic alphabet - imposed under Stalin in 1939 is being replaced by Latin script for all signs and official documents, as well as newspapers and books.

The Latin alphabet was briefly the official script for the Azeri language before 1939 and has been gradually re-introduced since Azerbaijan became independent after the collapse of the Soviet Union 10 years ago.

Further back still, Arabic script was also used.

Supporters of the change of alphabet - which was ordered recently by President Aliev - say it will bring Azerbaijan closer to the Western world and reduce the domination of neighbouring Russia. But critics fear it will marginalise Russian speakers and that the older generation, who only know the Cyrillic script, will be isolated.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service