Peculiar Features of the Phonetic System of the Uzbek Language
Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute
Faculty of Philology and Social Sciences
Department of Uzbek Language and Literature, Group 25_04
Student: Abulqosimova Bahora

Abstract:
This scientific article analyzes the peculiar features of the phonetic system of the Uzbek language. The study investigates the pronunciation of vowels and consonants, their changes in phonetic processes, and their roles in word formation. Additionally, phonetic phenomena such as stress, intonation, and assimilation are highlighted as factors influencing semantic distinctions in the language. The article also examines phonetic changes that have occurred throughout the historical development of the Uzbek language and their reflections in dialectal variations. The research findings hold theoretical and practical significance for ongoing studies in the fields of phonetics and phonology.

Keywords:
Phonetics, phonology, vowel sounds, consonant sounds, stress, intonation, assimilation, pronunciation, phonetic system.
Introduction:
Language is the most important social phenomenon of humanity and serves as the primary tool of communication among people. The formation and development of any language are primarily manifested through its phonetic system, as speech sounds constitute the fundamental material of language structure. Phonetic units are directly related to all levels of language — lexical, grammatical, and morphological — and play a crucial role in accurately conveying meaning.

The Uzbek language belongs to the Turkic language family and possesses a phonetic system characterized by complex phenomena and unique features formed over its historical development. The pronunciation of vowels and consonants, their changes in phonetic processes, and their functions in word formation are key criteria defining the national characteristics of the language. In particular, features such as vowel length, consonant voicing and devoicing, as well as processes like assimilation, dissimilation, stress, and intonation, have a unique realization in Uzbek.

This article provides a detailed analysis of the peculiarities of the Uzbek phonetic system, the role of vowels and consonants in phonetic processes, and the differences found in dialectal variations. Furthermore, it examines how phonetic phenomena affect meaning distinctions and phonetic changes over the course of historical development, based on scientific sources. The research results are theoretically and practically significant for modern studies in phonetics and phonology.

Literature Review:
Several prominent scholars have made significant contributions to the study of the Uzbek phonetic system.
A. Mahmudov explored the pronunciation of vowels and consonants, their articulatory changes in speech processes, and described them using experimental methods. He relied on phonetic observations to establish norms of literary pronunciation. His work laid the scientific foundation for determining pronunciation standards and demonstrated the practical importance of phonetics.

Ayyub G‘ulomov specialized in theoretical linguistics and studied word formation and morphology in the Uzbek language. Although his work did not focus directly on phonetics and phonology, it emphasized language structure, word formation, and speech organization. His theoretical methodology is considered valuable in phonetic research.

Abdulhamid Nurmonov focused on the phonological system of the Uzbek language, the functions of phonemes, and positional and combinatorial features of language units.
M. Mirtojiev investigated the structure of the vowel system in Uzbek, their labialization, height, and historical development. He also compared phonetic differences in Karluk, Kipchak, and Oghuz dialects.

S. Otamirzayeva discussed the impact of phonetic phenomena on the teaching process, highlighting the role of stress, intonation, and assimilation in speech.
M. Yusupova conducted an in-depth analysis of consonants, including voicing and devoicing relationships, and outlined rules and patterns of phonetic changes.
A. Hojiyev developed theoretical foundations of phonology, paying special attention to the meaning-distinguishing function of phonemes.
Sh. Rahmatullayev specialized in historical phonetics, analyzing phonetic changes in ancient written sources.

The works of these scholars have enriched the theoretical and practical understanding of the Uzbek phonetic system and contributed significantly to the development of phonetics as a discipline.

Analysis and Results:
The Uzbek phonetic system shares common features with Turkic languages while exhibiting unique national characteristics. Research shows that the articulatory features of vowels and consonants, their changes during speech, and phonetic rules have evolved throughout the language’s historical development.
Analysis of the vowel system demonstrates classification based on labialization, front-back position, and tongue height. Historical developments include certain phonetic changes, such as the shortening of long vowels in Old Turkic. In dialectal speech, vowel position shifts give rise to phonetic variants.

Stress and intonation play a crucial role in proper comprehension. Phonetic rules are key in establishing standards of literary pronunciation. Scientific studies in phonetics have shown that speech sounds possess not only physical and physiological characteristics but also semantic properties.
Overall, studies on Uzbek phonetics provide a systematic understanding of phonemes, their role in distinguishing meaning, and factors influencing historical development. This strengthens the theoretical foundation of phonetics and contributes to the formation of literary language norms.

Conclusion:
The phonetic system of the Uzbek language represents a fundamental layer of the language’s internal structure. The system of speech sounds, their articulatory and acoustic properties, and the role of phonetic processes are central to the field of phonetics. Sounds are not only the material basis of speech but also serve as meaning-distinguishing elements that connect language units. Therefore, scientific study of the phonetic system is essential for shaping literary norms, improving pronunciation culture, and enhancing overall speech culture in Uzbek.

In the Uzbek sound system, vowels and consonants function in harmony. Vowels are classified by labialization, front-back position, and tongue height, while consonants are categorized by voicing-devoicing, plosive-fricative, and sonorant characteristics. Phonetic processes — such as assimilation, dissimilation, stress, intonation, and elision — ensure natural adaptation of speech sounds and play a vital role in conveying the meaning of words and sentences.
Research in phonetics confirms that the Uzbek phonetic system is continuously developing and evolving. Historical sound changes, dialectal variations, and pronunciation peculiarities reflect the richness and national spirit of the language. A thorough understanding of phonetic theory expands linguistic knowledge and provides a scientific foundation for teaching Uzbek, reinforcing literary standards, and developing speech culture.

References:
Mahmudov A. Issues of Uzbek Literary Phonetics. – Tashkent: Fan, 2007.
Mirtojiev M. The Vowel System in the Uzbek Language and Its Development. – Tashkent: O‘qituvchi, 1991.
Otamirzayeva S., Yusupova M. Phonetics, Orthography, Orthoepy, and Orthography. – Tashkent: O‘qituvchi, 2010.
Hojiyev A. Explanatory Dictionary of Linguistic Terms. – Tashkent: Fan, 2002.
Rahmatullayev Sh. Historical Phonetics of the Uzbek Language. – Tashkent: Universitet, 1995.
Yoldoshev I., et al. Fundamentals of Linguistics. – Tashkent: Fan, 2014.
Zokirova H., Nabiyeva D. Phonetics of the Uzbek Language. – Andijan: ASU Press, 2016.