Snaggled

My oldest friend, my best friend when I was growing up in Queens, now lives in Frankfurt. 

The last time we saw each other, nearly a decade ago, we met for lunch at a restaurant on the corner of 39th and Madison. She had kept her childhood apartment in Kew Gardens and was back for a visit.  

We grew up together, on the same floor of a building, racing in our socks down the hall between our apartments.  Tall and blond, she wore clothes that no one else did and in a way that made her look unique. 

Other kids picked on her for it, but for me it had the opposite effect.  I wished her clothes were mine.  When I took guitar lessons at our school on Saturday mornings, her dad enrolled her, too, and we shared my father’s guitar.  I took up ballet, and there she was in Mildred Roger’s Dance Studio on Lefferts Boulevard, doing pliés by my side.

Her parents were European, and she was trilingual.  I admired her for her sophistication, yet it was her silliness that matched my own. We made each other laugh so hard that no sound came out of our mouths.  I didn’t have that with anyone else.  

I don’t remember our first meeting:  She was always in my life.  I loved her dad’s Italian cooking; she loved the lebne and pita my mother prepared. 

I was astonished by the orderliness of her home, and she thrived on the constant activity in mine.  I loved how she spoke in Italian with her hands, how different she became when she spoke German. How easy she was to be with all the time. 

How the more myself I was, the more she seemed to adore me.  I felt such love, like we belonged with each other. 

When we were older, we both found jobs in midtown Manhattan. One day I suggested we call in sick. I didn’t have to convince her: “Let’s go to Jones Beach!” she said. We ran in and out of the waves, taking pictures of each other in action, and later we sat back to back on a towel, me in a pink polka-dot Fiorucci sundress, so happy that we had this day to ourselves instead of being at our jobs. 

Occasionally, we would meet for a quick lunch at the rooftop dining area of a two-story building on Third and 40th, basking in the sun, eating our sandwiches, catching up.  “Can you believe we’ve known each other so long?” she would say. “I would be bonkers without you.” And I felt the same.  I would return to my office feeling as if I’d had a shot of adrenaline, revived, fresh. 

Time passed, and I married and had two sons; she remained single. I left Queens for the suburbs. Life was busy, and we saw each other less frequently, but I always looked forward to being with her again. I still yearned for those moments where we lost ourselves in laughter, even if it was only once or twice a year.

Just before she moved to Frankfurt, we went to see the second “Sex and the City” movie at the Ziegfeld.  It was a sea of women, groups of besties, and I was glad she was mine, sitting there beside me. Over dinner at Il Circo, where she knew the owner, I gave her a present, a ring, for her 45th birthday. She had complimented mine, so I got her the same. 

The stone looked like a solitary diamond, but it was fake.  I watched intently, waiting for her reaction. “Oh my god, I love this!” she said, and I bounced in my shoes with excitement as she put it on.  We lay our hands side by side. “This is perfect for the subway,” she said, and then she swept her bangs out of her face with her ringed hand for effect, her green eyes flashing at me. 

Shortly after that, she was no longer a New Yorker.Of course I knew our friendship would change with her move to Europe.  But she would have her place in Queens, and I could visit her in Germany, couldn’t I?

When I thought about it, many of my friends had moved out of the city – Michele to Mexico, Belinda to California, Christine to Seattle, Leslye to her country house upstate. I kept in touch with all of them; sometimes we became closer over the years.Up until that lunch on Madison, I hadn’t seen her for a while. 

In anticipation of our meeting, I made my day free for her. I took the afternoon off from work. I arranged for my teenage boys to be picked up from school.  I dressed with care, more care than usual.  I made sure to wear our ring, and I twirled it around my finger.I stood outside the restaurant and saw her approaching, ever so punctual. She was walking down Madison, wearing a longish cotton striped dress and sneakers, a big bag on her shoulder, waving at me. When our eyes caught each other’s, I saw her smile, and I felt my own, so glad to see her.

Right away we fell into the old rhythm of our conversations.  We laughed with little provocation and with an abandon I didn’t know was available to me anymore.  In her open mouth, I saw that her tooth had become a little snaggled: a snaggletooth. 

“What the heck?” I said.  “I know,” she said.  “I should get it fixed.”  “How is your mom?” I asked. “Good.” When I asked her about her friends in Germany, she said, “Aw Les, you know you are my best friend!”“Do you ever hear from Michael?” I said.

She had dated Mike D. from the Beastie Boys for two years.  “No, but I hear that he is happily married in California.”

 “How’s your job?” I continued and then, before she could answer, “Oh, I just finished a book you would love: ‘The Nazi Officer’s Wife.’”“Shhhhh. Don’t say ‘Nazi,’” she said.  

I didn’t understand.“It’s illegal to say it in Germany,” she explained.

“What fucked up country are you living in?  Do you have any Jewish friends there, I hope?”

Not one, she told me.

And then, “There’s a great Lebanese restaurant in Frankfurt that I love.”“Do you remember when we each bought the same exact scarf from Bendel’s without knowing it?” she said.  “Uncanny,” I said, and we laughed again. 

After lunch she said she was heading uptown. “I’ll walk with you,” I said. I didn’t consider that she might not want me to come along.

The building next to Grand Central had been razed to the ground, and the station stood in all its glory, magnificent, like it was supposed to have looked 100 years ago.  “Here,” she said, “let’s take a selfie.” And on the corner of 42nd and Madison, with the station in the background, we huddled close, trying to fit in the frame.  We fumbled with the phone and the angle and getting out of people’s way. 

In the end, when we finally snapped the photo, we were laughing so hard you could almost hear the picture.  Maybe she hoped I would leave after that, get on a train to go home to Westchester, but that didn’t occur to me then.We walked a little more, sat on a bench in front of Barnes & Noble on Fifth and 45th.  I wanted to see if they had the book about the Nazi officer’s wife.

When she said she was going to Anthropologie, there was something about her demeanor that told me I wasn’t invited.  She took a cigarette from her purse and lit it. She didn’t normally smoke in front of me; it was something I knew she did in secret.  But now she sat smoking brazenly, and I noticed she wasn’t wearing the ring I got her. 

I said, “What are you looking for at Anthro?”  

“Nothing in particular. I just have some things to do.” She stubbed her cigarette out on the pavement, beneath the twisting toe of her white sneaker, and got up to kiss me goodbye.  She crossed Fifth Avenue before the light changed. I turned and headed back downtown to Grand Central to catch my train, feeling like I had a crush on a boy who wasn’t interested in me and whose cues I had misread. 

I had been deliriously happy, and suddenly I wasn’t.  With each step I became more and more deflated. I felt exhausted, as if my life, which I thought was a good one, was missing something vital, a color maybe, like electric blue.  I wished I could have spent the day with her, doing nothing, walking in the city, stopping into shops we liked, like we used to do when we were young.  

On the train, I looked at the picture we had just taken. I examined her tooth that was sticking out in a funny angle and realized that my bottom teeth weren’t so great either.  They had shifted into the beginning of a jumble.It was still early. 

I stopped at the grocery store on my way home to buy things to make dinner. I ran into a friend, another mom, in the frozen aisle. We had the usual conversation – kids, varsity soccer, the glorious weather, blah blah blah.  “Don’t forget tennis tomorrow and Mother’s Day brunch at the club,” she said over her shoulder.

When I got home, I took off the ring.  I was alone, and no one needed me for the moment.  I drove into town and poked my head in at the local orthodontist, the one who had put braces on my boys.  “Can you fix my teeth?” I asked.  “Sure,” he said. “Hop in the chair and let’s take a look.”  

Hyperglycemia: Pathophysiological Causes, Clinical Consequences, and Laboratory Diagnosis

Author: Davlatyorova Iqbol Alisher qizi

Institution: Tashkent Medical Academy, Urganch Branch – Advanced Training in Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics

Abstract

Hyperglycemia is a clinical and laboratory sign of many systemic metabolic disorders. This article aims to investigate the underlying causes, short- and long-term consequences, and the role of clinical laboratory diagnosis in the early detection and management of hyperglycemia. Key laboratory tests such as fasting glucose, OGTT, HbA1c, and their interpretation in different clinical settings are discussed.

1. Introduction

Glucose is the primary energy source for most cells in the human body. Its level in blood is tightly controlled by a complex hormonal system, mainly insulin. Hyperglycemia refers to an abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood, typically above 7.0 mmol/L when fasting, and may signal the presence of diabetes mellitus or other endocrine or stress-related disorders.

2. Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia may result from different mechanisms: decreased insulin production, increased resistance to insulin at the cellular level, or excessive hepatic glucose output. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta-cells, while type 2 is linked to peripheral insulin resistance. Temporary hyperglycemia can also occur during severe infections, trauma, myocardial infarction, or treatment with corticosteroids.

3. Clinical Manifestations and Complications

Early symptoms of hyperglycemia include polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, blurred vision, and weight loss. Chronic untreated hyperglycemia leads to serious complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Acute decompensation may present as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS).

4. Laboratory Diagnosis of Hyperglycemia

Laboratory testing is the cornerstone of diagnosing hyperglycemia. Commonly used tests include:

– Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG): ≥7.0 mmol/L indicates diabetes.

– Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): 2-hour value ≥11.1 mmol/L confirms diagnosis.

– HbA1c: ≥6.5% supports chronic hyperglycemia diagnosis.

– Random Blood Glucose: ≥11.1 mmol/L in symptomatic patients.

5. Preanalytical and Analytical Considerations

Proper sample collection (venous plasma, fasting state), avoidance of glycolysis by timely processing, and accurate calibration of analyzers are essential for valid glucose results. Point-of-care testing (glucometers) is useful for self-monitoring, but should not replace lab-based tests for diagnosis.

6. Laboratory Role in Monitoring and Prevention

Laboratory follow-up is key in managing patients with diabetes. Periodic HbA1c testing, renal function tests (creatinine, urine albumin), and lipid profile help prevent complications. Mass screening programs in high-risk populations (obese, hypertensive, family history) are recommended.

7. Conclusion

Hyperglycemia is a complex metabolic condition that requires timely and accurate laboratory diagnosis. Understanding the laboratory parameters, their clinical interpretation, and integration into patient care pathways can significantly reduce the disease burden and improve health outcomes.

Et je ne souffre qu’au seuil de l’abandon.

Les douleurs m’apparaissent en patience,

Mais je ne m’appuie pas sur ma plaie pour tes baisers.

Je suis l’ascète façonné loin de ton jeûne.

Tu mérites les carillons de tes cloches.

Ensemble, nous nous élevions par les lettres,

Nous éloignant du vertige des miroirs

Vers les hymnes des cercles bohèmes.

Rabbin, je suis, dans la synagogue de tes éclats,

Prêchant parfois, priant ton Talmud.

Je me perds dans tes péchés comme un navire

Englouti par les soupirs de tes prières.

Nulle place pour l’existence pourpre

Dans les replis charbonnés de tes paupières.

Les fautes des odes me portent, îlot après îlot,

Sur les croix tracées par tes mystères.

Tu fus pour moi une voix,

Épanouie en chorales de tes symphobies..

Alors, ravive en moi une flamme et laisse-moi

Compter sept chiffres

Qui me portent en désir,

Pour les rendre ensuite

Morts ou renaissants dans tes écrits.

And I only suffer on the threshold of abandonment.
Pains appear to me patiently,
But I do not lean on my wound for your kisses.
I am the ascetic fashioned far from your fasting.
You deserve the chimes of your bells.

Together, we rose through letters,
Faring from the vertigo of mirrors
Toward the hymns of bohemian circles.
Rabbi, I am, in the synagogue of your splendor,
Preaching sometimes, praying your Talmud.

I lose myself in your sins like a ship
Swallowed by the sighs of your prayers.
No place for purple existence
In the charred folds of your eyelids.
The faults of the odes carry me, island after island,
To the crosses traced by your mysteries.

You were a voice for me,
Blossoming in the chorus of your symphobias.
So, rekindle a flame in me and let me
Count seven numbers
That carry me with desire,
To then make them
Dead or reborn in your writings.

Bibliographie 

Hassane Ajbouh is a Moroccan writer, critic, and creative writer from Safrou, currently residing in Ibn Ahmed. He holds a degree in Arabic Literature, specializing in Philosophy, and is a educational administrator and high school principal in the Casablanca-Settat region.

His published works include:

– A joint poetry collection “Shado in Love and Life” published by the University of Moroccan Creators.

– A joint short story collection “Marafie” published by the Iraqi magazine Basriatha.

– A joint book “Stories Crossing Continents” published by Dar Scribayb in 2023.

He has also published critical studies on novels and short stories in local and Arab newspapers.

Ajbouh is currently working on several projects, including a poetry collection and a short story collection.

He holds several positions, including:

– Cultural Advisor to the World Organization for Creativity for Peace (London – Morocco branch)

– Editor-in-Chief of Sefrou Cultural Magazine

– Editor-in-Chief of Iqaa’ Al-Adab magazine

– Member of the Board of Directors of several groups, forums, and magazines

– Designer and judge for various literary competitions

His works have been published in numerous national, Arab, and international newspapers and magazines.

Dedicated to history

You hold within all days gone by,

The past that none can now deny.

The wars once waged with blood and flame,

And whispers time could never tame.

You saw the rebels rise in fight,

Brave sons who battled for the right.

For homeland’s sake, they faced the storm,

To war they marched in fearless form.

The page now shakes beneath my pen,

As tales of ancestors rise again.

A silent ache within my chest—

To write of history is no jest.

Oh life, why do you torment my father so?

Day and night he works, without rest at all.

Oh life, why so many trials must he know?

Aren’t his graying hairs proof enough of his toll?

So we lack nothing, he gives all he can,

His hands are worn, scarred, and bruised.

Without pause he runs, a tireless man,

Yet never complains — his pure heart’s not abused.

Oh life, and what about my mother dear,

Why bring sorrow to her gentle soul?

She worked hard, shared her wisdom clear,

Surely joy is her rightful goal?

Oh life, just look at my parents both,

They fulfilled every wish I ever spoke.

If I wanted fancy clothes, they’d say “yes”,

While they themselves wore old, torn cloaks.

So that I wouldn’t lack, when I had asked,

You gave more than enough — my shield, my dad.

“Protect your honor, know your worth,” you’d say,

With teary eyes, my mother would guide my way.

If I were a man, I’d help with the chores,

Even if not much, I’d do something more.

But now — I only ask, this and that,

My troubles I tell you in an endless chat.

In this world, I’m truly in your debt,

May God grant you a long life yet.

Your service to me — I can never repay,

Even if I walked you to Hajj all the way.

My shield, dear father, purest mother mine,

This debt I owe — I know I’ll never unwind.

But if God wills it, in the life to come,

All my blessings I’ll give you — every one!

Elbekova Shohsanam Ne’matjon qizi. Born on July 31, 2002 in the Namangan district of the Namangan region. She graduated from secondary school No. 22 in the district, then from the Uzbek language department of Namangan State University. Currently, she is a 1st-year master’s student at the Namangan State Pedagogical Institute. She has been familiar with poetry and literature since childhood. To date, her poetry collections “Nurli manzil”, “Ayol madhi” have been published. Her poems and articles on various topics are regularly covered in the media. Shohsanam’s goal is to become an accomplished specialist in her profession and share her useful knowledge with the future generation.

The Gate of The Cemetery

The whole world chases me fiercely

As I’m the only prey.

I passed through slaughters, massacres and massive burdens of life. 

I successfully escaped the darkness and brutality of this notorious world.

I walked the long path over the shredded parts, the killed children, the weeping widows and the hungry boys.

I ran away this motionless and silent world miraculously,

Till I reached the gate of the cemetry where life thrives as flowers

And the glamorous light appears from the innocent souls as the burning butterflies.

I walked among tombs and shrines 

Where tranquility and serenity flow.

There, I hear  the alives whisper

It was a wonder to flee the dead world and live peacefully in the heart of the earth.

I suddenly yelled at them loudly

“I honestly envy you”.

The Role of Common Nouns and Verbs in Everyday English and Uzbek Speech

Baxtiyorova Feruza Farxod qizi

Uzbekistan State World Languages University

English First Faculty

Abstract: This paper examines the role of common nouns and verbs in everyday spoken English and Uzbek, focusing on their fundamental importance in sentence construction and communication. As the core parts of speech, nouns and verbs enable speakers to identify objects, express actions, and convey essential meanings in daily interaction. The study analyzes usage patterns, semantic similarities, and structural differences between the two languages, highlighting how high-frequency lexical items function in real-life contexts. Particular attention is given to grammatical features such as tense, aspect, and affixation, as well as the impact of word order and morphology on meaning. By comparing simple, context-rich examples, the paper reveals both universal linguistic features and language-specific tendencies shaped by cultural and typological factors. The findings are especially relevant for beginner-level learners and educators, offering insights into effective vocabulary instruction and the benefits of contrastive analysis. Overall, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how basic lexical elements facilitate meaningful cross-linguistic communication.

Keywords: Nouns, verbs, English, Uzbek, language learning, basic vocabulary, sentence structure

Language serves as the foundation of human communication, providing the primary means through which individuals share thoughts, express emotions, and navigate daily life. Across cultures and linguistic systems, two of the most essential grammatical categories—nouns and verbs—form the core of nearly every utterance. Nouns function as labels for people, objects, places, and abstract concepts (e.g., teacher- ustoz, phone- telefon, freedom-erkinlik), while verbs convey actions, states, and processes (e.g., run-yugurmoq, be-bo‘lmoq, learn-o‘rganmoq). The presence and correct usage of these parts of speech are indispensable for both basic and complex communication, serving as the backbone of sentence construction and meaning-making.

This paper investigates the usage of common nouns and verbs in English and Uzbek, highlighting their roles in everyday speech and exploring both similarities and differences between the two languages. The comparative analysis focuses on lexical frequency, syntactic positioning, morphological structure, and semantic functions. For instance, while English often relies on fixed word order and auxiliary verbs to convey tense and aspect, Uzbek employs agglutinative morphology and flexible word order that allows for greater variation in sentence structure. Similarly, pluralization and definiteness in nouns are marked differently across the two languages—English using articles and suffixes, Uzbek primarily using suffixes and contextual cues.

The study also considers how cultural context influences lexical usage. Certain everyday nouns and verbs in Uzbek may reflect specific cultural practices, values, or social norms that differ from those in English-speaking contexts. Understanding these language-specific tendencies, alongside universal features, is particularly beneficial for beginner-level learners and teachers engaged in cross-linguistic instruction. Through the analysis of simple, high-frequency examples in real-life contexts—such as greetings, instructions, or descriptions of routine activities—the paper emphasizes the importance of teaching core vocabulary with attention to both form and function.

Ultimately, the study contributes to a broader understanding of how foundational linguistic elements operate in typologically distinct languages and underscores the pedagogical value of contrastive analysis in language education. By deepening awareness of both shared and unique aspects of English and Uzbek nouns and verbs, educators can enhance curriculum design and support more effective language acquisition for learners at early stages.

In everyday communication, high-frequency nouns and verbs play a central role in enabling speakers to convey essential information efficiently and meaningfully. Nouns related to core domains of human experience such as family, education, home, and social relationships—are among the most frequently used lexical items in both English and Uzbek. For example, English nouns like mother, school, home, and friend correspond to ona, maktab, uy, and do‘st in Uzbek. These words are not only linguistically fundamental but also culturally significant, reflecting shared values and social priorities within each linguistic community. Their high frequency across daily interactions highlights their importance in early language acquisition and vocabulary instruction.

Similarly, verbs that describe routine physical and communicative actions form the foundation of basic sentence construction for language learners. Action verbs such as go, eat, sleep, and speak-rendered in Uzbek as borish, yemoq, uxlamoq, and gapirmoq-are integral to expressing everyday experiences. Sentences like “I go to school” (Men maktabga boraman) or “She eats lunch” (U tushlik yeydi) illustrate how verbs serve to structure temporal and situational narratives in both languages.

A key structural distinction between English and Uzbek lies in their syntactic patterns. English follows a Subject–Verb–Object (SVO) word order, whereas Uzbek typically adheres to a Subject–Object–Verb (SOV) structure. For instance, the English sentence He reads a book corresponds to U kitob o‘qiydi in Uzbek. This typological difference has implications for second language acquisition, translation, and sentence processing. Learners must internalize not only vocabulary but also the syntactic sequencing that governs how ideas are expressed in each language.

Despite these structural contrasts, the communicative function of nouns and verbs remains universally consistent. Both English and Uzbek rely on these lexical categories to identify participants and describe actions, thereby constructing meaning and facilitating interaction. Understanding the parallels and divergences in their use provides valuable insight into language structure, cognitive processing, and instructional methodology. For language educators, emphasizing frequent and functional vocabulary within contextualized practice is crucial to fostering communicative competence, especially for beginner learners navigating between typologically distinct languages.

Vocabulary reflects cultural values. In Uzbek, terms for family members are more varied and culturally emphasized, which shows the importance of kinship. English, on the other hand, often includes action- and object-oriented vocabulary in its most frequent words. The common use of nouns like job, car, and money, or verbs like work and make, may reflect cultural focuses on independence and productivity. Recognizing such nuances helps learners understand not only the language but the culture it represents.

Common nouns and verbs represent the core linguistic elements that underpin everyday speech and communication in both English and Uzbek. As primary building blocks of grammar and meaning, these lexical categories enable speakers to express identity, action, and intention with clarity and precision. Their high frequency in daily interactions underscores their functional importance, particularly in the early stages of language learning.

A comparative understanding of how nouns and verbs operate across these two typologically distinct languages is crucial not only for learners but also for educators and translators. While English and Uzbek share certain universal features—such as the central role of these parts of speech in sentence construction—they differ significantly in syntactic structure, morphological patterns, and context-dependent usage. Recognizing these similarities and differences enhances cross-linguistic awareness and supports more effective instructional strategies.

Mastery of common nouns and verbs thus serves as a foundational step in acquiring communicative competence. It facilitates smoother interpersonal exchanges and provides a solid platform for the development of more advanced linguistic skills and intercultural understanding.

References

1. Aitchison, J. (2003). Words in the Mind: An Introduction to the Mental Lexicon. Oxford: Blackwell.

2. Crystal, D. (2004). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.

3. Karimov, A. (2018). O‘zbek tili grammatikasi. Toshkent: Fan nashriyoti.

4. Nation, I.S.P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge University Press.

5. Sayfiyev, N. (2019). Hozirgi o‘zbek adabiy tili. Toshkent: O‘zbekiston Milliy Ensiklopediyasi.