Essay from Olimboyeva Dilaferuz Azamat

Word Formation in English and Uzbek: An Analysis of Common Suffixes                                                           

Olimboyeva Dilaferuz Azamat qizi                                                

Uzbekistan State World Languages University                                                              

alijonolimbayev99@gmail.com

Abstract

This article presents a comparative linguistic analysis of word formation in English and Uzbek, with a focus on the role of suffixes in both languages. While English demonstrates a blend of Germanic and Romance derivational strategies, Uzbek, as an agglutinative language, relies heavily on regular suffixation patterns. The study explores the typological, semantic, and functional aspects of suffixation in both languages. Particular attention is paid to how suffixes contribute to lexical expansion, grammatical categorization, and stylistic variation. The findings are relevant for translation studies, language acquisition, and bilingual lexicography.

Keywords

Word formation, suffixation, morphology, English, Uzbek, derivational processes, language typology, translation, affixation, comparative linguistics. Word formation is a fundamental aspect of language development and linguistic creativity. It encompasses the methods by which new lexical items are produced from existing morphemes. One of the most prominent and productive methods of word formation in both English and Uzbek is suffixation—the process of adding morphemes to the end of a root word to create new meanings or grammatical categories.

Despite significant typological differences between English and Uzbek, both languages extensively employ suffixes to expand their lexicon. English, being a morphologically simpler and more analytic language, uses suffixes that are often derived from Latin, Greek, and French. Uzbek, on the other hand, belongs to the Turkic language family and follows an agglutinative structure, where suffixes are attached in a regular and transparent manner.

This paper investigates the types, functions, and productivity of common suffixes in English and Uzbek, and evaluates their roles in word formation, translation, and second language learning. Suffixes in English are divided into two primary types: inflectional and derivational. While inflectional suffixes modify a word’s grammatical function (such as -s for plurals or -ed for past tense), derivational suffixes create entirely new words by changing their lexical category or meaning.

Among the most productive derivational suffixes in English are:-ness, which converts adjectives to nouns (e.g., happy → happiness);-tion, which forms abstract nouns from verbs (e.g., inform → information);-er, which often denotes agents or instruments (e.g., teach → teacher);-ly, which typically turns adjectives into adverbs (e.g., quick → quickly);-less and -ful, which express the presence or absence of a quality (e.g., hopeful, hopeless).

These suffixes serve both grammatical and semantic purposes. For instance, the suffix -tion adds an abstract, nominal quality to a verbal root, making it suitable for formal, academic contexts. The productivity of suffixes like -ness and -er is evident in neologisms and in creative language use, particularly in media, advertising, and literature. However, some suffixes in English present phonological or orthographic challenges. The addition of a suffix may lead to stress shifts (e.g., photograph vs photography) or spelling changes (e.g., happy → happiness).In Uzbek, suffixation is highly regular and is a dominant mechanism in word formation.

Unlike English, which incorporates many borrowed affixes, Uzbek suffixes are largely native and function within a transparent system governed by vowel harmony and phonological rules. Common noun-forming suffixes in Uzbek include -chi (used for agents or professionals), -lik (denoting abstractness or collectivity), -kor (indicating a person inclined to a particular action or value), and -garchilik (which often adds a sense of intensity or continuity).Examples include:o‘qituvchi (from o‘qit – “to teach”) with the suffix -uvchi indicating agency;do‘stlik (from do‘st – “friend”) with -lik denoting a state or condition;ilmiy (from ilm – “science”) with the suffix -iy used to create adjectives.

Uzbek also employs suffixes to form adjectives and verbs. Adjective-forming suffixes such as -li, -siz, and -iy express possession or lack of qualities (e.g., yurakli – “brave,” umidsiz – “hopeless”). Verb-forming suffixes like -lash, -lan, and -ish allow for the creation of causative, reflexive, or reciprocal verbs (e.g., tozalash – “to clean”).One of the key characteristics of Uzbek morphology is the ability to stack multiple suffixes sequentially. For example, a single root may take on several suffixes to produce complex word forms, such as o‘qituvchilikdagi (“in the teaching profession”), which incorporates suffixes for agent, abstract noun, and locative case.

Despite structural differences, suffixes in both languages serve similar semantic and grammatical functions. Both languages use suffixes to form agentive nouns, abstract concepts, and adjectives, although the morphological processes and frequency of use differ significantly. In English, suffixation is often influenced by borrowed forms, and productivity varies by register and context. For example, academic language frequently employs Latinate suffixes like -tion and -ity, while colloquial language may favor -er and -ness.

Uzbek suffixation, by contrast, is grounded in native morphological rules and exhibits high regularity. The meanings of Uzbek suffixes are typically more predictable, and their usage is closely tied to the phonological structure of the language. Another key difference lies in the complexity of suffix chaining. English words typically contain a single derivational suffix, whereas Uzbek words can include multiple suffixes in a chain, with each adding a specific grammatical or semantic layer.

In terms of second language acquisition, Uzbek learners of English may find the irregularity and etymological opacity of English suffixes challenging. Conversely, English speakers learning Uzbek may struggle with the rules of vowel harmony and the extensive use of affixes in expressing grammatical relations.

Understanding the function and scope of suffixation in both languages is essential for accurate translation and effective bilingual dictionary compilation. In many cases, there is no direct formal equivalence between suffixes. For example, the English suffix -ism may require a descriptive paraphrase in Uzbek depending on the context, as in individualism → shaxsga asoslangan qarashlar.

Moreover, suffixes carry stylistic and cultural connotations. Some Uzbek suffixes, such as -garchilik, may sound overly formal or archaic in certain contexts, while their English equivalents might be more neutral. Thus, translators must not only match grammatical categories but also register, tone, and communicative intent.

For language learners and educators, emphasizing high-frequency, productive suffixes and illustrating their function in context can greatly facilitate vocabulary acquisition and comprehension. Suffixation plays a vital role in the lexicon-building systems of both English and Uzbek. While the morphological structures differ—English being more analytic and Uzbek agglutinative—the underlying linguistic functions of suffixes show striking similarities. Both languages utilize suffixes to form nouns, adjectives, and verbs, as well as to express abstract meanings and agentivity.

Through this comparative study, we observe that suffixation reflects not only grammatical processes but also cultural and cognitive patterns in language use. Further research might focus on corpus-based frequency analysis, suffix productivity in contemporary media, and the role of suffixes in the development of academic and technical vocabulary. Understanding suffixation in a cross-linguistic context enhances our ability to translate, teach, and learn languages more effectively, while also deepening our appreciation of the structural richness and expressive capacity of human language.

References

1. Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.

2. Plag, I. (2003). Word-Formation in English. Cambridge University Press.

3. Bozorov, O. (2008). Hozirgi o‘zbek adabiy tili morfologiyasi. Toshkent: O‘zMU nashriyoti.

4. Nurmonov, A. (2010). O‘zbek tilida so‘z yasash. Toshkent: Fan nashriyoti.

5. Aronoff, M., & Fudeman, K. (2011). What is Morphology? Wiley-Blackwell.

6. Bauer, L. (1983). English Word-Formation. Cambridge University Press.

7. Hudoyberganova, D. (2016). Ingliz va o‘zbek tillarida affiksal so‘z yasalishi. Toshkent: TDPU.

Poetry from Duane Vorhees

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORD ASSOCIATION

Being is the tiger,

an unseen appearance before it swallows you whole.

Seeming is the spider

that builds the mansion where Maya hides the tiger.

And you curl into your spider’s blanket and say,

“Yes, there may be other situations. But this one is mine.”

These are words of the white sheep that graze on your tongue, issuing from the edge of your lips to baffle my art.

Belief conceals recognition. Orthodox clichés are sweeter than exotic heresies.

I need a poet to speak your freedom.

“Poetry!” you say. “That factory of idols! Valueless words strung together like cultured pearls. A compromise between the universe and imagination, windy sounds tangled in winter branches. A sheetless bed in a purple room with no light or exit.”

A poem can come from a prophet or a priest or a professor or a philosopher or a physician or a beautician. But only a true poem can feel the sun on your face as the snow commandos parachute in behind enemy lines. A real poem contains stone syllables standing against a rain-striped horizon.

Let me be your pattern. I’ve pawned my pasts, demolished the wall that blocked truth-bearing winds.

To deny my tongue is to strangle your throat.

Together we can be worlds upon a wider world.

Our bronze countenances can besiege the Maya fortress, storm its magic damsel resident therein.

We won’t eliminate or lift any veil completely. But we can add invisibility.

“Perception, memory – can’t they be real? Who could confuse a long naked body with an artifice of the mind?”

Anyone.

Everyone.

We live in rust on chrome.

“But, that tiger?”

Being is the all-at-once-ness of everything.

The world is not all thieves and wolves. Providers and puppies inhabit too.

Judges and lawyers may be the masters of bar and brothel, and a poem’s sentence may condemn. But also it may acquit.

Death is always the same distance away and life as near as we arrange.

Yes, our voyage ends with a wake, but not just the wake behind the boat.

It’s now call-and-response time. Your fate depends on your answer.

I say Quiver.

Do you say, “Tremble”?

Or, “Arrow”?

MÖBIUS STRIP

Swans echo the clouds

that echo those swans.

Moon recycles faces, recycles face

I am Today years old, as always

but which we am I today?

es, recy

This river remembers its geese,

wanders woods in their search.

cles fa

BRIDE OF COPPER

homonyms that mean the same

or, your gray is not my grey

they have divergent offspring

bronze if copper mates with zinc

brass if copper mates with tin

bird as vulture, bird as dove

a painter’s silver, or smudge

the flat wilderness of dusk

an opaque landscape of mist

the nothingness of a coin

dime-like or silver florin

hides the man within the war

in a Southern uniform

in a museum’s armor

ENLIGHTENMENT

Aging, we mislearn the universe from birth.

But if then all our illusions we lose —

Can we be sure that lives improve?

IN AN ON-ONE (self-portrait, unfinished for now)

Sophiadome aflame,

Halfunplundered yet.

The Moon is trapped in our crimson net

(like a Frisbee in a cage)

(aluminum pan in macrame)

dark iris riveted to bloodshot eye.

No. Wait.

This is altogether too depressing a prospect. Let the picture compose elsewhere.

Bloated fingers like floodwaters upon the plain.

Unberibboned wrists, not tigered yet by failure.

Arms loose and empty, tethered to boney shoulders

and a lonely bed.

Nope. No improvement from that angle either.

Silver is the ego-greed that turns glass into a looking glass; and mercury, that poison, makes us mistake temperament for actual temperature; while the iron lasts us through the large littleness of our long lives.

Such is the brittle wisdom, these are the elements of our same old sad story:

                             “The Naked One in the Vacant Lot”

Poetry from Mykyta Ryzhykh

Morning is war

We’re burning like matches

But who sets us on fire every time?

Our meat hurts as if someone is trying to eat our flesh

But what does the word “we” mean?

Seven marble

Seven marble suns have died in the last week

Seven tin gods have burst in the last week

Seven donkeys with gifts from the Magi have been torn apart in the last week

Seven sulfur streams have soared into the air in the last week

Seven days have passed in the last week

Seven people have disappeared in the last week

Seven babies were born in the last week

A state of emergency has been declared seven times in the last week

In the last week seven numbers have become uncountable

No one has been resurrected in the last week

Singles

The sandcastles of human rights are falling into my eyes

My cat buries his shit in the folds of my skin

Not a single spit of time can wash away the sand from a person

As luck would have it, there is not a single footprint of your foot on this sand

I teach water to build silence

I am learning from the sand to remain silent in agreement

Belly is home

We don’t fuck in basements:

We live in them

Thirst

salt smeared on lips

sugar dissolved in the veins

lips in an eternal search for sperm

in order to quench the thirst

for love

Facts and lives

mantrap in my left torn off leg

pretends I’m not there

The bird

The bird tries to break into the room without realizing that the window is transparent

In the end in despair the unfortunate creature disappears into the nightleaving feathers as a souvenir

A feather that comes off is no longer part of the bird

I burst into the night shooting at my cast iron temple

A ghostly bird breaks out of its body cage and runs into the garden through the glass

A dead body ceases to be part of the life that goes on around

Silence everywhere

Silence everywhere

The stone drinks the silence of the sand

Sand castles

The river plays with the sound of the tide

Essay from Dilobar Maxmarejabova

Central Asian woman holding a bouquet of red tulips as she walks past stores on an urban sidewalk.

Globalization and the Lost Identity of a Generation

“Modern wars will no longer be fought with weapons, but with ideas. The goal will be to distort the thinking of our youth.”
— Islam Karimov, First President of Uzbekistan

We live in an era where information travels across continents in seconds, where a cultural shift in one part of the world can influence the mindset of a young person thousands of kilometers away. This is the power—and the peril—of globalization. And in the heart of Central Asia, in countries like Uzbekistan, it’s not just progress that is arriving at our doorsteps, but also a silent crisis: the cultural and spiritual erosion of our youth.

The 21st century is marked by technological triumphs. Our lives have become more connected, more informed, and more digitized. Yet in this wave of innovation, young people in developing and post-Soviet countries find themselves torn between tradition and trend. They are learning, evolving, and adopting—but at what cost?

When Progress Threatens Identity

There is nothing inherently wrong with globalization. In fact, it offers invaluable opportunities for learning, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange. But each nation carries with it a unique soul—embedded in its history, traditions, and moral values. For Uzbekistan, this identity is rooted in the legacy of thinkers like Alisher Navoi, Ibn Sina, Al-Khwarizmi, and Al-Biruni—giants whose wisdom once shaped the course of human knowledge.

Yet today, many of our youth struggle to name these intellectual forefathers. Instead, they idolize imported pop culture, replicate global social media trends, and embrace superficial modernity that often contradicts local values. From imitating art forms born in foreign contexts to defacing historic buildings with graffiti in the name of “expression,” we are witnessing a cultural drift that can no longer be ignored.

This is not an argument against modernization or art. It is a call for balance. A plea for young people to know where they come from before deciding where they are going.

The Cultural Cost of Belonging Everywhere—and Nowhere

In an attempt to belong to a global narrative, many young people are losing touch with their own. Cultural pride is not nationalism; it is self-respect. And preserving heritage does not mean rejecting the world—it means entering it with dignity.

The future of our youth must not come at the cost of forgetting the past. The ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are not just tourist destinations; they are breathing textbooks of our ancestors’ contributions to science, literature, and philosophy. When these landmarks are defaced, when traditions are mocked, it is not just stone that is broken—but memory, identity, and self-worth.

Moving Forward with Roots Intact

Technology is here to stay. Globalization will continue. The question is: Can we raise a generation that embraces the modern world without abandoning its own? Can we empower young people to be both connected to the globe and grounded in their culture?

We must. Because only when young people know who they are, will they know how to lead.

Dilobar Maxmarejabova Elbek qizi is a second-year student at the University of Journalism and Mass Communications, majoring in Philology and English Language Teaching. She is passionate about topics such as youth, spirituality, globalization, and cultural heritage. Through her writing, she seeks to draw attention to pressing social issues and contribute to meaningful discussions on identity and values in the modern world.

Essay from Surayyo Nosirova

Silent Battles: Navigating Mental Health Challenges and Loneliness During Student Years

Introduction

In today’s competitive and fast-paced world, student life is often romanticized as a time of personal growth, academic achievement, and social connection. However, beneath the surface lies a silent struggle faced by many students—one of mental pressure, emotional isolation, betrayal, and the absence of support. For some, these experiences define their entire educational journey. Yet, even amidst such darkness, it is possible to emerge stronger, wiser, and victorious.

This article explores the often-unspoken psychological burdens students endure—particularly mental health struggles, academic stress, feelings of loneliness, and emotional pain caused by those they once called friends. By shedding light on these hidden experiences, we aim to foster understanding, advocate for compassion, and remind every student walking this difficult path: your victory is coming.

The Weight of Expectations

Academic institutions are designed to challenge and educate. But with that mission often comes a pressure cooker of expectations. Students are expected to maintain high grades, be active in extracurricular activities, secure internships, develop social networks, and prepare for uncertain futures—all simultaneously. For many, especially first-year students or those from underprivileged backgrounds, this transition can be overwhelming.

The societal narrative often neglects the mental toll of such pressure. Constant comparison, fear of failure, and the need to prove oneself—whether to family, peers, or society—can slowly erode self-esteem and mental well-being. When grades become the only measure of worth, students begin to equate failure with personal inadequacy.

These internalized pressures frequently lead to anxiety, depression, and burnout. Yet, few students feel safe enough to speak about it. The stigma surrounding mental health, especially in cultures where vulnerability is mistaken for weakness, forces many to suffer in silence.

The Quiet Ache of Loneliness

Loneliness during student years is a complex and painful emotion. Even in classrooms filled with hundreds of students, one can feel profoundly alone. Moving to a new city, adjusting to a new environment, or failing to find ‘your people’ can leave students feeling isolated and misunderstood.

Social media often intensifies this loneliness. While it paints the illusion of connection, it can also create feelings of exclusion. Watching others post about friendships, outings, and achievements can foster a painful sense of “Why not me?”—leading students to question their worth and their ability to belong.

Loneliness does not only stem from being physically alone; it often arises from emotional disconnection. It is the feeling of not being seen, heard, or understood. It is sitting in a crowded library with tears threatening to fall, and no one noticing. It is wanting to share your burdens but having no one who truly listens. It is the ache of invisibility in the most formative years of life.

When Friends Become Strangers

One of the most disheartening experiences during student life is betrayal or emotional abandonment by friends. For many, university friendships are a source of comfort, laughter, and survival. But not all friendships last—and not all friends are genuine.

Some students experience bullying, exclusion, or emotional manipulation from those they once trusted. Others are left behind without explanation as their peers form new cliques or focus solely on their own goals. The realization that your support system has crumbled can be both devastating and disorienting.

This emotional abuse—whether subtle or overt—leaves scars. The fear of trusting again, the self-doubt born from rejection, and the inner voice whispering “you’re not enough” can become constant companions. When betrayal comes not from strangers but from those you once called friends, it hurts with a deeper, more personal sting.

The Absence of Support

Perhaps the most paralyzing aspect of student mental health struggles is the feeling that there’s no one to lean on. For students far from home, the physical distance from family can feel like emotional abandonment. Even those with parents nearby may feel emotionally misunderstood or invalidated.

Many institutions lack the resources or sensitivity to identify students who are silently suffering. Professors are focused on delivering content, not checking in on emotions. Friends may be too busy or too self-involved. And in a world where everyone seems to be “managing fine,” it can feel shameful to admit you’re not.

The absence of support is not just about who is missing; it’s about the haunting silence in times of crisis. It’s about breaking down in a dorm room at 2 a.m. with no one to call. It’s about realizing that while you have hundreds of contacts, you can’t name one person who would truly understand.

This lack of support amplifies the mental health crisis among students. Without emotional anchors, students spiral deeper into anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. And yet, despite the darkness, some keep walking.

The Turning Point: Choosing Yourself

Amid all this pain—academic pressure, loneliness, betrayal, and emotional neglect—there lies a quiet decision: the decision to choose yourself.

This is the moment when a student realizes that they are their own safest home. It may not come dramatically. It may arrive on a regular Tuesday after a failed quiz or during a solitary walk. But it is powerful.

Choosing yourself means seeking help even when it’s scary. It means setting boundaries with toxic people. It means crying, and still getting up the next day. It means talking to a counselor, writing your truth, or simply breathing deeply through the storm. It means recognizing that your value is not defined by grades, followers, or others’ opinions—but by your resilience.

This turning point is not loud. It is gentle and consistent. It is the beginning of healing.

Healing and Growth: A Slow But Beautiful Process

Healing from emotional wounds is not a linear journey. There will be good days and unbearable ones. Some mornings you will feel like yourself again; others, you’ll wonder if you ever will. But growth lies in persistence.

During the healing process, students begin to rediscover themselves. They find joy in small routines—making tea, reading books, listening to music, journaling. They begin to seek genuine connections, no longer chasing popularity but authenticity. They start valuing their mental peace more than validation.

And slowly, something remarkable happens. They become the very friend they needed. They develop empathy, strength, and emotional intelligence. They learn to identify red flags, to say no, and to choose environments that nurture them. Their scars become sources of wisdom, not shame.

The Inevitable Victory

The journey through emotional turmoil is not just about survival—it is about transformation. Many students who endure such pain emerge with an inner strength that no textbook could ever teach. They become leaders, mentors, healers, and creators. They carry stories of overcoming, of rising from the ashes, of winning the hardest battles—those within.

Victory does not always look like a gold medal or a perfect GPA. Sometimes it’s simply waking up and choosing to try again. Sometimes it’s smiling after days of tears. Sometimes it’s graduating despite depression, or finding real friends after years of loneliness. These victories are deeply personal—and deeply powerful.

In the end, you win. Not because the pain disappears, but because you become someone who refuses to give up. You win because you fought with grace, because you learned to love yourself, because you did not let darkness define your story.

Conclusion

Student life is often painted in bright colors, but many live it in shades of grey. Mental health struggles, academic pressure, emotional loneliness, and the absence of support can make it a painful chapter. Yet, within this pain lies the potential for profound transformation.

To every student fighting silent battles: your story matters. Your feelings are valid. And even if no one else applauds your quiet victories, know this—you are not alone, and you will rise. Keep walking, keep breathing, keep choosing yourself.

In the end, you do not just survive. You win.

Surayyo Nosirova Elyor qizi was born on May 13, 2006, in the Narpay district of the Samarkand region, Uzbekistan. From an early age, she showed a deep interest in literature, languages, and creative expression. Her passion for learning and writing became evident during her school years, where she actively participated in various academic, literary, and cultural activities. Currently, Surayyo is a first-year student at the Uzbekistan State University World Languages university, specializing in English Philology and Teaching. She is known for her strong academic performance and her dedication to mastering the English language. Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom—she is the author of three published books: Heartfelt Thoughts, Voices in Writing, and Beyond Words: Mastering English. Each of these works reflects her insights into language learning, writing skills, and the emotional depth of student life. 

Poetry from Vo Thi Nhu Mai

East Asian young woman with long dark hair, a necklace, and a dark patterned sleeveless blouse.

LIFE’S GENTLE REFLECTIONS

(Võ Thị Như Mai)

The greatest enemy in life

is none other than ourselves

The whirlpool of lies and ignorance

is a blind road

leading us into dreams with no way out

Arrogance only brings failure

pulling us into deep suffering

Jealousy, a quiet sorrow

is like a sharp thorn

silently piercing the heart

Mistakes make us lose who we are

turning life into a dark, starless night

Neglecting our parents is a heavy sin

as burdensome as a thousand mountains

weighing on the soul

Self-doubt is painful and sad

like a bird with broken wings, unable to fly

But from every fall

we can rise again

like trees growing through rock

like light breaking through the darkness

Despair may feel endless

but hope is a steady star

always shining in the sky

Health and wisdom

are treasures more valuable than gold

Feelings are life’s debts

sometimes as light as a passing breeze

sometimes as heavy as unforgettable memories

Forgiveness is the greatest gift

bringing calm in the middle of the noise of life

Knowledge alone isn’t enough

A kind heart

and a gentle soul

are what truly define us

Giving and comforting

are like drops of honey

soothing the pain of the world

V.T.N.M.

THE BOOK OF SEASONS

(Võ Thị Như Mai)

A book lies open

its pages alive with blossoms

their hues shifting from black and white to radiant colour

each stroke of ink, colour of an era

Here, seasons reveals in cycles of brush and verse

cherry blossoms scatter as hopes for renewal

fallen leaves turn retreats into solitude

and the moon rises, a serene witness

to centuries of longing

The weight of tradition presses gently

layered meanings drift like petals in the wind

plum for passing beauty, pine for the everlasting

The borderlands between village and forest blur

where foxes haunt the edges of knowing

mystical, in-between

To look upon a garden

is to see history tell stories

a pine’s shadow carries the chill of distant winters

while lanterns reflect moons in memory

yet present still in gleaming silk

This is not nature untouched

but nature shaped, revered

held both close and cautiously distant

a mirror for the human soul

seasonal cycles

woven into the fabric of living

And in the end

the cherry blossom

is never just a cherry blossom

it is a thousand years of seeing

a transient note

the happiness of eternity

V.T.N.M.

Võ Thị Như Mai was born in the soft breeze of high land Dalat, carrying within her both a resilient spirit and the gentle soul of an artist. From her meaningful time at Edith Cowan University to the warm, intimate classrooms of Western Australia, she has been not only a dedicated teacher but also a poet and translator with a heart devoted to literature. Through her delicate verses and meaningful translations, she has helped bring Vietnamese literature to a wider audience, connecting communities through bilingual poetry festivals and meaningful publications.

For her, literature is an art of words and a bridge of emotions mixed between real life and wishes. She finds inspiration in quiet moments and the small corners of everyday life, crafting tender poems and graceful translations. With four published poetry collections, nearly ten bilingual books, and more literary projects underway, she is a poet of passion and dedication. A woman of quiet charm and vision, she brings Vietnamese literature to the world while preserving the soul of her homeland in every poetic line.

Poetry from Sayani Mukherjee

Heart

The hefty dreams of suburban cities

The burning sky the nightlife of Naples

Asks me to write a sonorous letter

To the crescent moon high above the park

A dandelion for her wish to fold the dreams

I surmise in sipping letters to not feel the danger

Brown skin city high scapes school me

A nail pictured shopkeeper in the most urgent way

The honey choir of dazzling smoke

The lost feathers of the peace of dove

A symbol of fraternity among the sleeves

As if the night bloomed daisies know the human heart.

Night

I upheld the long haul dream

The topsy turvy menagerie

Of broken threaded sweet pearls

That soothe my aching happiness

I dreamt in thee the songs of Paris

When evening comes I love your chestnut

Brown symphonies raging a thousand oceans

The ukelele of national importance

Do i sing heaven’s ceremonies too?

Or when I plunge my needle I sank a little harder

Over little wishes that once carved your niche

Birds have their nests too

The sweet ocean of peripheral promised land

Come over and play your pulses

The smile is same but magnificent

The Golden Gate surpassed us today, night.