Essay from Federico Wardal

Black and white image of two older film stars dressed up and looking into each other's eyes.

A film project on film history legend Billy Wilder

Victoria Wilder, his daughter, was awarded the “Courage for Freedom Award”

Image of the author with dark hair, a sequined jacket, and reading glasses and a scarf, holding an award and standing next to an old white lady with white hair.

I met Billy Wilder with Gloria Swanson in Hollywood on my birthday, January 24, 1974.

I told him that I had postponed my first meeting in Rome with Federico Fellini, scheduled for the same day.

Billy Wilder observed me carefully, as if his eyes were a camera: he wanted to understand my true essence, revealing an urgency, since, perhaps, he wanted to be the first great director to discover me, before my meeting with Fellini.

Wilder had filmed, only two years earlier, “Avanti!” with Jack Lemmon, his first film in Italy, in Ischia and Sorrento, and since I was Italian by birth, the conversation shifted to this film, but without Wilder giving up on his intention to decode my essence, with his increasingly “investigative” gaze.

Older black and white image of a middle aged man looking lovingly at a little girl with a ribbon in her curly hair.

Although very young, I had a fairly precise idea of ​​what elements of my personality interested Wilder and which later interested Fellini.

In this scenario, Gloria Swanson had limited herself to mentioning Marlene Dietrich, who had introduced us.

We were at Paramount Pictures, and can you imagine that nothing happened related to the famous scene in “Sunset Boulevard” in which everyone recognizes “Norma Desmond,” the “forgotten” silent film diva played by Swanson in Wilder’s film? 

Black and white photo of a man in a black hat and suit looking and talking to a young boy and a woman.

Something quite similar to that scene happened, due to Swanson’s long absence from Paramount, including that of Wilder, whose last film with Paramount Pictures had been “Sabrina” with Bogart, Hepburn and Holden, ending a 12-year business relationship between him and the company.

Some people waved at Wilder and Swanson from a distance, and while Swanson reacted almost “without reacting,” Wilder responded to the greetings, without taking his eyes off me, to explore my slightest reaction. 

Red and black and tan movie poster for Sunset Boulevard. Scary looking woman with makeup on in front, a sepia toned male/female couple by them, and the movie title on film tape.

And I couldn’t help but utter this sentence: “I’ll tell Fellini about what’s happening here now, but after we’ve known each other for a while.” 

Wilder understood the “chess move” I had made and extended his hand towards mine, appreciating the ambiguous “subtlety” of my statement.

Swanson, expected this reaction from Wilder, observed everything with detachment and a certain irony.

Movie poster for Avanti. Cartoon image of lots of random people carrying a box running towards a door which a man is trying to shut.

A few days ago, Victoria Wilder, Wilder’s daughter, pointed out a very important detail about her father: she told me that her father always appreciated being recognized and greeted, even though this was inevitable due to his enormous fame.

In short, this aspect of fame never bothered him.

The scene in the Paramount Studio from his film “Sunset Boulevard” was always within him, and Wilder deliberately made that scene immortal, since, I understood, it embodied himself and the essence of cinema. 

During the truly incessant greetings from the Paramount staff, being Italian, I was offered a “cappuccino,” and Wilder, in response to what I had said earlier, told me: “Federico, Fellini will immediately adore you if you ask him for a ‘cappuccino ‘ because you’ve created a scene that, if I had seen it, I would have included in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ . Yes, from how you picked up the cup, to when you brought it to your mouth to sip the ‘cappuccino’.”

Obviously, we all laughed.

Beneath that sentence, there was something much broader, which I will include in the film about him. Yes, I am proposing to make a film about Wilder, since I am building a mosaic with the pieces of memories I have of him, added to what Victoria Wilder told me about her father a few days ago, on my birthday. 

Victoria Wilder , introduced to me by Lady Silvia Gardin , was delighted to receive the “Courage for Freedom” award from my hands, created by Francesco Garibaldi, a descendant of the hero Garibaldi, which commends Mrs. Victoria, a great collage artist, for having had the tenacity and perseverance to collect rare and precious testimonies about her father, the only one who had the courage to reveal the true identity of the Olympus of fame: Hollywood.

But there is very important news that has just recently emerged: after the death of actor Gianfranco Barra, part of the cast of Wilder’s film “Avanti,” the only Wilder film shot in Italy, the entire film archive was given by Barra’s heirs to Graziano Marraffa, president of the Italian historical film archive.

This archive contributes to the rediscovery of the celebrated director and gives more urgency to my initiative to make a film about him, which, by depicting Hollywood, clearly illustrates the dangers faced by anyone who falls victim to the most popular obsession of our times: fame.


Poetry from Priyanka Neogi

Young South Asian woman in a crown, red dress, and pageant sash

Engagement and Disillusionment 

Engaged here means the engagement of the mind with the mind. In order to keep the engagement of the mind with the mind intact, it is important to be happy with your mind. Despondency is despair, grief, heartbreak.          

In the case of engagement, if the mind’s desire is fulfilled, if the mind does not get hurt, sorrow, or suffering, the mind is right. The attention is the same remains A close connection of mind with mind keeps the focus fixed. Enthusiasm increases in the mind, it remains cheerful. Therefore, there is no need to grieve, nor to suffer. You have to keep going, seeing that the cut does not open in the mind and feet. No one can be given a place to occupy the mind. You have to move forward in connection with your own existence. Therefore, the power of the mind is very important.  Flowers should be kept in care. The juice will be in the mind, let the mind move like that. Mind connection provides the juice to move forward in life.

Understanding of mind and spirit with mind. Persistence, hope, desire, self-strength, mental strength move the mind forward. From connected thoughts, one has to increase concentration and move forward in life. Sparkling, shining light keeps life in full flow. All is the result of mind freshness. Intelligence and mental connection with the mind, kinship of one’s own soul with one’s own soul can keep oneself in order, must reach the right goal.              

Despondency means to be broken, hopeless. The mind is burdened with pain – it increases the sickness of the mind. The mind breaks down, becomes useless. The distance between the mind and the mind increases. The connection between the mind is lost. There will be both engagement of the mind and disorientation in life. But if you give importance or keep alive the depression Mind will be hurt, mind power and self-power will be lost. Which is very bad for everyone. Even if you are depressed, you should do what you need to do. You should see your dreams.          

Symptoms of depression or anxiety:

1. First understand yourself – I have suffered, I am suffering. 2. Loss of enthusiasm for work or creative work. 3. No way forward. Signs of getting out of depression: 1. To identify the pain of the mind, find out the cause. 2. To find a way to shake off or erase the pain of the mind. 3. Staying away from those people who have caused grief. 4.Walk and talk in such a way that no one gets hurt. 5. Talking and discussing the matter with a close person if necessary. 6. Dancing-reciting-pictures-art- listening to music, creative work including yoga and joining social service work.

7. Persistence, strength, patience and courage to make new plans and move forward, to overcome adversity. 8. Mental preparation is always necessary. I will be fine. I will be strong in any situation, my actions I will take it forward. 9. I will not let injustice happen to me. I have to protest for injustice. Sometimes I have to fight silently. 10. Even if you are disappointed, you have to give yourself hope. Must go to work. 11. Stay away from negative thoughts and activities. 12. It is one’s duty and duty to mend one’s broken heart. 13. Have confidence and trust in yourself.              

Both good and bad are in our hands there is self-view, self-action, consideration, self-perception, Dreaming, thinking, choosing direction, staying positive is all is in good standing.   

Amb. Dr. Priyanka Neogi is from Coochbehar. She is an administrative controller of United Nations’ PAF, a librarian, a CEO of Lio Messi International Property & Land Consultancy, international literacy worker, sports & peace promoter, dancer, singer, reciter, live telecaster, writer, editor, researcher, literary journalist, host, beauty queen, international co-ordinator of the Vijay Mission of Community Welfare Foundation of India.

Poetry from Dildoraxon Turgʻunboyeva

Young Central Asian woman with long black hair and a gray dress with a white collar holding up a certificate standing in front of a flag.

My Unfulfilled Dream

At dusk one evening came the dreadful news,

In one short moment, hearts were torn and bruised.

My hands and feet began to shake with fear,

My eyes would not rest—pain drew ever near.

A passing soul, now turned into my grief,

A dream unfinished, no hope of relief.

Who is the star now shining in my sky?

Who fills my home where warmth once wandered by?

Who will embrace and whisper, “grandchild dear,”

And hold them close with love so pure and clear?

No longer markets—now the grave I seek,

No longer you—I hug the stones so bleak.

Whom shall I call my grandfather once more?

In this brief world, you are my deepest sore.

I failed to call, not even once in time,

I could not serve you—this remains my crime.

Your tearful eyes I caused without a word,

This single thought has crushed my soul unheard.

I never spoke a final gentle line,

Perhaps I thought that moment wasn’t mine.

I did not hug you, did not say goodbye,

My last true words remain unsaid, a sigh.

In truth, I thought of only me alone,

Today I’m weak, unworthy, overthrown.

One final plea I ask of you, my guide:

Please forgive me—be content inside.

Childhood

I took a pen and paper in my hand,

And wandered through the moments time had planned.

Sweet innocence, so pure and free from care,

A playful youth with laughter in the air.

Mischief-filled hours, joyful and unbound,

Those lively days where endless smiles were found.

In truth, childhood was a kingdom grand,

Where every wish obeyed the heart’s command.

Dildoraxon Turgʻunboyeva is a fourth-year student in the Preschool Education program at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology of Kokand State University.

Essay from Choriyeva Oynur

Young Central Asian woman with long dark hair up in pigtails. She's got small earrings, a white collared shirt, and a multicolored vest.

The Effects of Overusing Phones on Mental Health

Choriyeva Oynur

Uzbek State World Language University, Faculty of English Philology, 2nd-year student

Annotation:

This article examines the effects of excessive phone use on human mental health. It analyzes the psychological, behavioral, and physical consequences of overuse, including increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, decreased attention, and sleep disturbances. The purpose of the study is to highlight the negative impact of prolonged screen time and emphasize the need to develop healthy digital habits.

Keywords: overall well-being, overusing gadgets, stress, negative effects, human mental health, healthy lifestyle, screen time, depression, isolation, relationship issues.

Introduction:

The advent of smartphones and social media has brought significant changes to modern society, with profound implications for mental health. Smartphones have transformed the ways people communicate, learn, and entertain themselves; however, their constant presence can lead to compulsive use and psychological dependency. Continuous streams of notifications and updates often create a sense of urgency and fear of missing out (FOMO), increasing anxiety and stress levels. Moreover, excessive smartphone use can interfere with sleep quality, an essential component of mental well-being.

Similarly, social media platforms, while offering opportunities for connection and self-expression, can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Frequent comparisons with others and the desire for validation through likes and comments may distort an individual’s self-perception, ultimately leading to decreased self-worth and emotional instability.

Main Body:

Mobile phones and their impact on the mental health of children and young people have increasingly become a subject of concern and academic inquiry. While mobile phones provide numerous advantages—including access to information, communication, and learning tools—they may also pose several risks to psychological well-being. The extent of these effects can vary based on individual factors such as age, frequency of use, and the type of digital content consumed.

Increased Anxiety Levels:

Excessive smartphone use can lead to heightened anxiety, often referred to as “digital detox anxiety,” which occurs when individuals are separated from their phones for extended periods. This anxiety may manifest through physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and heart palpitations. Additionally, delayed responses to messages or missed social media notifications can trigger similar stress.

Social media further exacerbates this issue by encouraging constant comparisons with seemingly perfect lives online. Such comparisons foster feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, increasing stress and anxiety. Individuals addicted to smartphones may spend more time scrolling through social media than engaging in face-to-face interactions, leading to social isolation.

Difficulty Sleeping:

Exposure to blue light emitted by smartphone screens, particularly within two hours of bedtime, can disrupt melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. This can result in difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep, poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and worsened mental health outcomes. Keeping a smartphone nearby during sleep increases the likelihood of being woken by notifications and elevates pre-sleep stress levels, further impairing sleep quality.

Isolation from Social Interactions:

Smartphone addiction can reduce real-world social engagement with family, friends, and peers. Constantly checking for updates or notifications limits meaningful face-to-face interactions, potentially leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Depression:

Frequent comparisons with idealized social media content can contribute to feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy, which may develop into depression. Prolonged exposure to social media has been linked to higher rates of depressive symptoms, particularly among individuals prone to negative thinking. Withdrawal from smartphone use may also trigger depressive feelings, including loneliness, irritability, fatigue, and frustration, creating a vicious cycle that reinforces mental health challenges.

Decreased Academic or Work Performance:

Overuse of smartphones can negatively affect performance in work or academic settings. Constant checking of notifications or browsing social media detracts from time that should be devoted to tasks, resulting in lower productivity, decreased academic achievement, and increased stress.

Relationship Issues:

Smartphone addiction can strain personal relationships. Frequent phone use in the presence of others may cause feelings of neglect, tension, and conflict. Spending more time online than engaging in meaningful conversations with family or partners can reduce intimacy and weaken emotional bonds.

Conclusion:

Smartphone addiction can significantly impact both personal relationships and work or academic performance. Excessive use often leads to social isolation, reduced face-to-face interactions, and strained relationships with family, friends, or partners. In professional or academic contexts, constant checking of notifications and social media can distract individuals from important tasks, decreasing productivity and increasing stress.

By recognizing the signs of smartphone addiction—such as compulsive checking, anxiety when separated from the device, or neglecting real-world responsibilities—individuals and mental health providers can take proactive steps to manage usage effectively. Interventions may include setting screen-time limits, scheduling digital detox periods, and promoting alternative offline activities that encourage social engagement, physical activity, and relaxation.

With consistent effort and dedication, it is possible to reduce the negative effects of smartphone addiction, fostering a healthier balance between technology use and real-world responsibilities. Cultivating self-awareness and practicing mindful technology use can significantly improve mental well-being, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life.

References:

https://ensorahealth.com/blog/how-do-smartphones-affect-mental-health/

Yang, Z., Huang, J., Li, Z., … The effect of smartphone addiction on the relationship between psychological stress reaction and bedtime procrastination in young adults during the COVID‑19 pandemic. BMC Psychiatry, 23, 813 (2023). 

Park, J.‑Y., va Yoo, H. Smartphone addiction and its psychopathological consequences: behavioural, social and physical effects. (Kemas 19 (2), 2023

Alzhrani, A., Elsheikh, B., va boshqalar, Effect of Excessive Smartphone Usage on Sleep Quality and Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Students. IAPS Journal of Practice in Mental Health (2024)

Essay from Sobirova Iroda Аbdulaziz qizi

Young Central Asian woman with a dark coat, long dark hair up in a bun, standing in a long marble hallway.

Tashkent University of Humanitarian
Sciences 2nd-year student
Sobirova Iroda Аbdulaziz qizi
U��

Innovative Directions for Entrepreneurship Development: Theoretical

Foundations and Practical Strategies

Abstract
The article reveals the essence and significance of innovative entrepreneurship as a key factor in economic development. It analyzes the main innovative directions for the development of entrepreneurship, including digitalization, technological, and
social innovations. Based on the mechanisms of state support for the innovative activity of small and medium-sized businesses and world experience (for example, Japan), proposals and recommendations have been developed.


Keywords: Innovative Entrepreneurship, Digital Economy, Product Innovation, Technological Innovation, Social Innovation, Venture Capital, Technoparks.

Introduction
In the transition to an innovative path of economic development, entrepreneurship, especially small business, plays a crucial role. Success in modern market conditions is not limited to effective management of existing resources but also requires the search for new ideas and their implementation in practice (innovative activity) (Source 1.1). The objective of the article is to scientifically and
theoretically substantiate the innovative directions for entrepreneurship development and to propose effective strategies for their implementation.


Essence and Types of Innovative Entrepreneurship
One of the main tasks of entrepreneurship is creativity and the pursuit of creating new products (services) (Source 1.1). Innovative entrepreneurship is the initiative that introduces new products to the market, implements new production technologies, or brings in new forms of business organization.


There are three main types of innovative entrepreneurship, aimed at different goals (Source 2.3):

  1. Product Innovations: Renewal of the company’s sales potential, expansion of market share, and creation of new jobs.
  2. Technology Innovations: Saving energy and raw materials, increasing labor productivity, and renewing production capacity.
  3. Social Innovations: Improving the social environment of the enterprise, mobilizing employees towards a common goal, and enhancing the organization’s reputation.

Priority Innovative Directions for Entrepreneurship Development
The main directions for the development of modern entrepreneurship include:

  1. Digital Technologies and Digitalization
    In the context of the digital economy, creating a favorable business environment for the development of innovative entrepreneurship is highly relevant. This includes the application of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud technologies, Big Data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into business processes.
    Digitalization also enables the development of remote work forms, which serves to increase work efficiency (Sources 1.5, 1.6).
  2. Innovative Development of Education and Human Resources Potential Modern approaches to preparing for entrepreneurial activity, especially the use of business simulation programs (training for the future), are important. This helps young people gain interest and practical skills for starting their own business. The government’s intention to integrate entrepreneurship holistically into the entire
    education system also indicates the priority of this direction (Sources 1.3, 2.5).

  1. Institutional Support and Infrastructure
    The role of the state in regulating and stimulating the development of innovative entrepreneurial activity is significant. Key directions include:
     Developing the venture capital market.
     Establishing technoparks, innovation centers, and clusters (Sources 2.1, 2.4).
     Improving the system of tax incentives for entrepreneurs engaged in innovative activities (Source 1.5).

  2. Conclusion and Recommendations
    The innovative development of entrepreneurship is a prerequisite for ensuring the country’s economic progress. This process should primarily be aimed at the commercialization of new ideas and increasing the innovative activity of small businesses.
  3. Practical Recommendations:
  4. Expanding Innovative Infrastructure: It is advisable to increase the number of innovation centers in the regions and support local industrial enterprises involved in technological innovations (Source 2.6).

  1. Stimulating Demand for Innovations: Ensuring a comprehensive system for the creation of new types of products and innovative technologies from the idea stage to the final consumer.
  2. Implementing Foreign Experience: Deeply studying and implementing the experience of developed countries, such as Japan, in developing regional innovative entrepreneurship (technopolises, research centers) (Source 2.7).

    List of References (Bibliography)
  3. Textbooks, Monographs, and Publications
  4. Schumpeter, J. A. (2007). The Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest, and the Business Cycle. Moscow: Eksmo. (For the theoretical foundations of innovative entrepreneurship).
  5. Freeman, C. (2011). The Economics of Industrial Innovation. Moscow: Infra-M. (To cover the impact of technological innovation on the economy).
  6. Porter, M. E. (2011). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing
    Industries and Competitors. Moscow: Alpina Publisher. (For analyzing competition and innovative advantage).

Scientific Articles and Journals

  1. Kadirov, A. Z. (2020). The role of innovations in the development of small business and private entrepreneurship. Iqtisodiyot va innovation texnologiyalar (Economics and Innovative Technologies), (1), 240–255. (To include local experience).
  2. Nabiev, N. N. (2021). Directions for the development of innovative
    entrepreneurial activity in the conditions of the digital economy. Moliya va bank ishi (Finance and Banking), (3), 78–85. (To cover the digitalization direction).

  1. Saidov, M. A. (2019). Mechanisms for increasing the innovative activity of business entities. Bozor, pul va kredit (Market, Money, and Credit), (6), 55–63.
  2. Statistical Compilations, Reports, and Internet Sources
  3. Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-60 of January 28, 2022, “On the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026”. National Database of Legislation. (To substantiate state strategic directions).
  4. OECD. (2021). Entrepreneurship at a Glance 2021. Paris: OECD
    Publishing. (For international experience and statistical data).
  5. World Bank. (2020). Digital Economy for Development (DE4D) Project Report. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. (To analyze the impact of digital technologies).
  6. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (2023). Global
    Innovation Index 2023 Report. Geneva: WIPO. (To include global
    innovation ranking data).

Poetry from Allison Grayhurst

Head bowed

The numbing curse

of resentment comes

to capture me

in its lumpy maggot-riddled

corpse, putting on my back

a burden I am aware of

I cannot keep.

And even though I wash and scrub,

daily cleansing myself of its

putrid stench, it returns, living,

climbing my shoulders into my hair.

I know the only clear path is forgiveness,

no matter my so-called-righteous-heart

cawing for justice. I know I will never

find peace this way, nor mercy

unless I can give it.

I am the one who need forgiveness

for allowing this monstrosity to suckle on

my spirit for so long.

I thought I was past it.

I thought I truly became a citizen,

sealing my covenant.

But it is here again,

raging like before, expecting

vindication.

I hope it is a ghost of its first-self,

still large but flimsy, visible

but lacking all density.

I pray I can overcome its devouring song

and show the love to others

that I myself have been given.

Open here, casting off

its angry cries,

its barbarian anguish

blocking my own way forward

into saving deliverance.

This Place

From a place of trust

I glimpse your magnificence,

your harnessed race of complexities

in harmony, slow moving, more

powerful than a hundred suns

conjoining.

From a place of faith,

being wrong is just as exciting

as being right – a longing to know

you, knowing I will never know you

only know the minute aspects that flip

and twist and rewrite as my knowledge grows,

while keeping some laws fundamental.

From a place of love,

your love is gathering in

bright awe-inspiring displays,

terrifying in their brilliance and

in their magnitude.

Nothing is personal. Everything is individual,

overreaching galaxies into galaxies,

twin dreams.

From a place of exploration,

finding inspiration

where paradox consumes,

invigorates, illuminates

all places, gloriously shifting.

Surrendered

In the middle –

steady, harsh waves,

salty flavoured ocean,

stranded, treading.

Love comes smiling.

It is a ghost.

Joy comes and passes by.

Purpose comes but floats by

like a jellyfish riding the momentum.

In the middle, tired of treading,

no escape, just the ebb and flow, surging,

retreating waters. What lies beneath makes

no difference because nothing is above

except the burning brutal sun, cloud cover

occasionally, and only air to eat.

Skin cells, bloating. Eyes, unable to keep

open. In the middle

of an endless abyss, all my happy days

behind me.

I hold my hands in prayer position,

arms raised over my head.

I stop struggling to not go under.

I go under and let that weight, the peace

at last, take me down.

She

Fear is splendid

in making the body inflamed,

bloated on trepidation at the news

of many meadows burning.

She hurried and found a healer

inside herself, willing to go

the distance and forfeit

personal power for a greater

acquisition.

She understood the traveller and

the sit-at-homer as one in the same,

especially on a stormy day or a year of upheaval.

Faith is the bullseye with no point-marks gained

unless hit dead-centre, directing every focus

to only that centre.

Faith is the wave to ride to the shore,

removed from other moving sources,

like wind and arm-strokes.

She opened herself to fear

not denying it but seeing it

as just another entity

under the canopy, smaller

than the giving sun.

Out

I asked to be let out

from that unwanted accomplishment.

I asked to shed my shame, my duty

and the hard-core call of doing time.

It was taken down and away from me,

along with so much more.

Guilt, and worldly bondage

also fell along with security,

along with a strange, twisted pride.

Knuckles down, hands still folded.

In my head are ghosts of patterns dissolved

but are still haunting. Ways of being I don’t have to

carry are dropped, but my empty arms are stalled

in position, humbled by uncertainty.

Set free and starting over, but not yet started,

just starting to try to etch out different

possibilities, a solid surging becoming.

Whiffs of passing currents,

rich aromas that entice briefly then fade.

Whiffs I cannot capture and keep,

not now, maybe never,

let out, dumbfounded,

helpless, screaming, just born.

A Love Like No Other

Your steady love has saved me,

one more dark wave rising and you

hold my hand, staying the course,

sharing with me your glowing inspiration,

giving me space to expose

my gruesome wounds within.

You do not flinch, or distract, but give me room

to writhe and cry out and then you look at me,

love in your eyes like God at my table,

offering water, acceptance,

and with that acceptance, untellable mercy.

Every night you read to me to keep me afloat,

to cup me in the flow of your voice

reminding me why we are here.

I think you will leave me, here

to implode in this over-a-year pit

of me climbing up to the edges, falling back in,

collapsing on bedrock, but you never do.

You stay and you are steady

and you are a miracle, patient, never

cursing your fate, never letting me go.

Allison Grayhurst has been nominated for “Best of the Net” six times. She has over 1,400 poems published in over 530 international journals, including translations of her work. She has 25 published books of poetry and six chapbooks. She is an ethical vegan and lives in Toronto with her family. She also sculpts, working with clay; www.allisongrayhurst.com

Essay from Haydarova Mehribon

Student of Group 25_02

Department of Chinese Philology and Language Teaching

Faculty of Oriental Philology

Uzbekistan State University of World Languages

Haydarova Mehribon

Annotation:

It is well known that the most difficult aspect of learning Chinese is the origin of characters and the meaning expressed by each of them. This article analyzes the origin, significance, and types of Chinese characters, their importance in the process of learning Chinese, the meanings they convey, and their development. In addition, the difficulties in learning characters and easy methods for memorizing them are also discussed.

Keywords: hieroglyph, Chinese language, method, origin, meaning, easy memorization

INTRODUCTION

In the modern era, the prestige of the Chinese language has increased significantly. For this reason, more than 80% of students and young people around the world are learning Chinese. As is well known, the most difficult aspect of learning this language is undoubtedly its characters. This is because each character has its own origin, history, and meaning, which creates certain difficulties for learners.

This article highlights the origin and development of Chinese characters, their historical stages, how they have evolved from their creation to the present day, and their meanings. In addition, it presents methods for learning them easily, enabling learners to master them quickly and within a short period of time. Knowledge of Chinese culture, literature, philosophy, and history plays an important role in understanding Chinese characters. Each character carries thousands of years of history and meaning; in other words, a single character can represent an entire word or concept. Learning them requires a great deal of effort and time.

International conferences on the origin of Chinese characters, the art of writing, and the aesthetic aspects of calligraphy—such as “The Origin of Chinese Characters and the Nature of Calligraphy” and “Origins of Early Writing Systems” at Peking University—have been held worldwide. In Uzbekistan, the International Scientific-Practical Conference of Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies was also organized. These conferences promoted ideas regarding the origin, development, and learning methods of Chinese characters.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A number of scientific studies have been conducted on the origin of Chinese characters, the stages of their development, and methods for learning them quickly and easily, using various research methods. First, historical methods were applied to study the origins and development of characters, focusing on their earliest forms. From the perspective of the history of linguistics, Chinese characters are considered one of the four most ancient writing systems. Therefore, many scholars have conducted extensive research in this field.

Specifically, historical methods were used to study the earliest forms of characters—oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, small seal script, and the development of modern characters. This method made it possible to identify the reasons for the emergence of characters and their relationship with society. Through modern methods, new types of characters and their regional differences—for example, similarities and differences between those used in Beijing and Shanghai—were examined.

Regarding research on fast and easy learning of characters, several experimental-pedagogical studies were conducted. In this research, new methods, techniques, and applications were developed for learning characters. One of them is the “TRAIN CHINESE” application, through which an English–Chinese dictionary was created. Learners can write unknown characters and find their translations, meanings, stroke order, grammatical usage, and example sentences, making learning easier. In addition, the “PLECO” application allows learners to write unknown characters and learn their pinyin; this feature distinguishes it from other dictionary applications.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Since Chinese is an ancient language, it has been studied for many years. In particular, the father-and-son scholars Wang Nian-Song and Wang Yin-Zhi laid the foundations of Chinese linguistics, while Xu Shen paid serious attention to Chinese writing and characters in his work “Elements and Compound Characters.” Moreover, in his work “Shuowen Jiezi” (1st–2nd centuries AD), Xu Shen explained characters based on six types, distinguishing pictograms, ideograms, compound ideograms, and phonetic-semantic characters. According to this work, the origin of characters is linked to pictorial symbols. For example, the character for “sun” was originally depicted as a round shape and gradually became simplified over time. Several similar examples were also provided.

In a similar vein, Uzbek linguist Sh. Safarov, a specialist in semantics and sign systems, described Chinese characters as a semiotic system and initially referred to them as sign-images. Regarding the fast and easy learning of characters, foreign scholar James W. Heisig, in his book “Remembering Chinese Characters,” stated that associative and imaginative memorization—linking each character with meaning and a story—leads to easier and more effective learning. William C. Hannas, in “Asia’s Orthographic Dilemma,” argued that due to the complexity of Chinese writing, structural and visual approaches are effective for students, and learning characters by components (radicals/keys) accelerates memorization.

At the same time, the origin of Chinese characters is described in ancient legends and historical texts, but the most famous theory appears in canonical texts. According to legend, Fu Xi created the “bagua” (eight trigrams), which formed the basis of Chinese characters and represented an early form of writing. Cang Jie, who lived during the reign of Emperor Huangdi, invented characters inspired by bird tracks and animal footprints. In addition, calligraphers of the Western Zhou dynasty engraved Chinese characters as texts on bronze vessels, which also serves as evidence of the origin of characters.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE CHARACTERS

Archaic Jia gu wen Modern character Simplified Pinyin

Mean

    人 — rén Person

    女 — nǚ Woman

    子 — zǐ Child

    日 — rì Sun

    月 — yuè Moon

    山 — shān Mountain

    川 — chuān River

    水 — shuǐ Water

    雨 — yǔ Rain

    竹 — zhú Bamboo

    木 — mù Wood

    馬 马 mǎ Horse

    鳥 鸟 niǎo Bird

    龜 龟 guī Turtle

    龍 龙 lóng Dragon

Several scientific conferences on fast and effective learning of Chinese characters have also been held. One of them is the World Chinese Language Conference, organized in 2025, where a new educational system based on the “Learn Chinese with Ease” concept was presented. It introduced a multimedia-based learning system using multimedia resources, interactive applications, and videos to teach the language in an immersive way.

Similarly, at the “Chinese Learning and Media Integration in the Digital Age” conference held in Indonesia in 2024, modern media and online educational tools—such as virtual reality, interactive lessons, and new applications—were discussed.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Regarding research on the origin of characters, students acquired skills in understanding the history of characters and their meanings through this study. Uzbek scholars evaluated Chinese characters not only as a writing system but also as a cultural, semantic, and cognitive phenomenon.

Through new applications such as “TRAIN CHINESE” and “PLECO,” learners began to study characters more quickly and easily, which provided several conveniences. For example, writing characters in the correct stroke order is mandatory, and without such applications, students could not easily learn the correct order. As a result, the creation of these applications significantly improved convenience for learners.

Both international and Uzbek scholars share similar views on the origin of characters, explaining Chinese characters as a logographic writing system, a cultural symbol, and a semantic unit.

According to scholars’ views on fast and easy learning, associative, visual, radical-based grouping, and step-by-step approaches are the most effective methods for learning Chinese characters quickly and easily.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this article examined the origin of Chinese characters and methods for learning them quickly and easily. During the research, substantial information about the origin and development of characters was revealed. The origin of Chinese characters began with ancient pictograms, which were gradually simplified and transformed into ideograms and phonetic characters. When we look at modern Chinese characters, they can be divided into simple, complex, radical-based, and phonetic characters. This shows that although ancient characters have become modernized, their structural principles have remained similar.

Regarding research on fast and easy learning of characters, conferences have shown that learners can effectively retain characters in memory by studying radicals and components, regularly reviewing them using applications such as Anki, and learning correct stroke order through other applications. In the future, the development of even more effective applications, dictionaries, and textbooks will increase the number of learners of Chinese characters worldwide, and it is considered appropriate to continue research in this direction.

REFERENCES

1.B. Karlgren, Grammata Serica.

2.Proceedings of the World Chinese Language Conference. Beijing: CIEF.

3.Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, Scientific-Practical Conference Proceedings.

4.Istrin, V.A., The Origin and Development of Writing, Moscow, 1965; Friedrich, I., History of Writing, trans. from German, Moscow, 1979; Mahmutkhojaev, M.H.; Bekmurotov, I.N., On Chinese Writing (Characters), Tashkent, 1990.

5.Madjidova, R.U.; Yuldasheva, F.F.; Reviewers: Muhammedova, S.X.; Salisheva, Z.I., Head of the Department of General Linguistics, Doctor of Philology, Professor; textbook General Linguistics, Uzbekistan State University of World Languages.