The Faces of L.O.V.E

Love’s gentle touch knows no equal

Love’s goodness breaks the strongest wall

Love’s greatness breaks the largest mall

Love’s gift should be everyone’s call

Love’s courage makes man abound

Love’s care makes posterity surround

Love’s cause heals the odd wound

Love’s cast takes off the burden of the heavy ground.

Love Lets Offered Values Exist

Love Locks Off Vices Exceedingly

Love Labels Outrightly Valued Entities

Love Locates Obvious Virtues Easily

These are the faces of L.O.V.E.

(J)

Dad Loves Me

Dad loves me
because He made me
Dad makes me trust him
because he made my team
Dad makes me strong
because he made me not want
Dad makes me smile
because he took care of my file
Dad makes me sleep well
because he made me well
Dad makes me work
because he made me walk
Dad makes me obey
because he kept ‘Bad’ at bay
Dad makes me pass life’s test
because he made me life’s best
Dad makes me read my book
because he made me the nook
Dad makes me a way
because he made me pray
Dad makes me alive
because he gave me a life
Dad makes me like everyone
because he made love anyone
Dad makes me preach
because he made me teach
Dad makes me modest
because he made me honest
Dad makes me eat
because he made me fit

Daddy loves me always! That’s why I love him too!

From the Northeast

When the wind

And rain shift,

Push abruptly

From the northeast,

Blow whistling through

My attic window,

Snatches my hat,

A schoolyard bully,

And all the starlings

Are vexed, skittish,

I do not comprehend,

I am confused by the turn,

My routine up-ended

(a precarious wont as it is).

To evade apprehension

And a sound pelting,

I’m required to tilt,

Bend my head in

A diffident incline,

An unaccustomed direction.

Neither Memo Nor Miro

Everything everywhere frozen,

Thawed and frozen again,

Over standing, brackish water,

Inconsequential configurations,

Curvilinear spirals of ice,

I admire, I’m mesmerized by

These designs and look longer

And longingly at the ditch,

Longingly at a simple beauty,

Longer than at oh-so-significant

Office memoranda, busy, busy

Strategies, missions, implementations.

No, these meandering forms

Are priceless museum Miros,

Studied, revered, emulated.

And no, quietly apparent, this

Scene is neither memo nor Miro.

You see, I told her, ‘There are small sand paths framed by green grasses, thick and beautiful in themselves…resilient grasses, and the ways lead to the places by the sea.’

‘Oh it does.’

‘Oh it does. Or, they do,’ I said, ‘and all the cliche things are there, the tropes as it were, but such things though the literati speak against them, are wonderful. Who will need anyone really? The warm breeze. The sun kisses the coastline and all around.’ 

‘Nice.’

‘It’s better than nice. There is a pier. Two actually. One to the north and one to the south.  There are loquacious birds, and they are against reason and logic, wise. They know things. We can be mystics also, like the birds are. Scry the sky. Watch the water. Intuit the wind. Make poems and pictures…’

I looked outside. The cold wind threw some garbage around and nothing even got anywhere. A stand of boulevard trees were the wrong colour on trunks and old leaves for traffic pollution. Not even a painter with several choices of grey could find a more rueful and uninspiring hue to declare the firmament with. And this grey was everywhere, for it must have melted into the earth and saturated it when a heartless joker was making the too long season. Loud modified cars, read noise pollution, yelled their egos, their small-mindedness and gauche vulgarity to anyone that could hear. And miles of uniform urban sprawl. No bird in sight. 

‘Hey,’ I asked her, ‘what was that term you used to use to denote people whose personalities became otherwise awkward, strange, cold, odd, for their value system and circumstance? Ungrounded people. Did you say “stunted”?’ 

‘Affected.’

‘Affected. That’s it.’

‘Ya. Affected.’

‘Let the affected have the affected. That’s great. They love one another. Let the affected live happily ever after. I wish them the best, that all their status quo dreams of shining mediocrity come true, and a thousandfold a that. But far away from me. I will be, beside the sea. See, that rhymes.’

‘Very funny.’

I glanced out and some poor soul, an elderly lady in a big coat, almost got hit by a car that rolled through a light turning. She stopped just in time. Then, what could she really do? The wind soon practically threw her over also. Many forces she had to battle, I thought. 

‘Anyways,’ I continued, trying to draw my conclusion, ‘I know a place. There is all that, and inland just a bit, is a marketplace with friendly souls, to get things. There used to be a small bookstore there also. Come to think of it, imagine if it is still there. I wonder. Probably not. But you know…it could be. It just might be there still.’ 

‘Are we gonna tend to the rabbits, George? Tell me about the rabbits George.’

‘Funny. I don’t mean it like that. Well maybe a bit. But you aren’t Lennie, and this is no book. There is nothing here, or not much…’

‘It’s a tale as old as the coast you describe.’

‘So what? Ya so what if it is? It’s new for every person journeying it in reality or imagination or both.’

And I could hear the sound of southern water somehow, for a second, like a sanguine auditory vision, a psychic impression. I realized it was a fountain and it took a minute to think away from it and go back, but I realized it was because there was a fountain right outside that market I had spoken of, had lauded. All this was then interrupted by the cacophony of a groups’ haughty course laughter under the blinking lights, lights intent on causing a headache where possible. Lights not like the light of the moon or the sun, lights not like the pink blue purple green, even orange electric and eclectic lights of those southern grounds, poetically and somehow musically accenting the earth (lights dreamt of and wished for). No, the current lights were too strong. They were blinding fluorescent lights. 

And they had no soul. 

Against all odds

Art is a muddy walk

It is a hit for the target.

It gets heavy

When no colors can

Show your plight

And make them beautiful.

A casual hello

Can make us remove

Thunder from the sky

And plant a rainbow seed.

I take up your time,

Like you know me.

Something waits like

Sadness in the forest

To clear its fog.

The trees bow down

In silence,

And the tombstones are too

Rigid.

A tear grows to smiling garlands,

When appreciation

Flows like river-wine.

Art stands against all odds.

Sushant Thapa is a Nepalese poet who holds an M.A. in English from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India with nine books of English poems and one short story collection to his credit. His poems are published at Synchronized Chaos,  The Kathmandu Post, Trouvaille Review, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, Outlook India, Corporeal Lit Mag, Indian Review, etc. He is a lecturer of English in Biratnagar, Nepal.

Investigating Lexical Access Latency in Trilingual Uzbek–Russian–English Speakers in a Psycholinguistic Perspective

Tojimurodova Latofat Farxod qizi

Uzbekistan State World Languages University

English first Faculty

Abstract: This study investigates lexical access latency in trilingual speakers proficient in Uzbek (L1), Russian (L2), and English (L3). Lexical access, the mental process through which words are retrieved from the mental lexicon during speech production and comprehension, is a critical aspect of language processing. In multilingual individuals, factors such as language dominance, frequency of use, emotional salience, and context of acquisition can significantly affect the speed of access across different languages. Utilizing a cross-modal lexical decision task (LDT), we examined reaction times for high-frequency and low-frequency words in each language using computerized experimental software. Data was collected from 30 university-level participants in Uzbekistan who reported regular use of all three languages in distinct domains—home, education, and digital communication. Our findings revealed that lexical access was fastest in the most dominant or contextually relevant language, though this varied across participants. Uzbek generally yielded the shortest response times, followed by Russian and English. The study contributes to psycholinguistic research by highlighting how multilingual lexical systems interact dynamically depending on linguistic environment and usage patterns. These results offer practical implications for multilingual education and cognitive assessments in diverse sociolinguistic contexts.

Keywords: Lexical access, trilingualism, Uzbek–Russian–English, reaction time, psycholinguistics, language dominance, lexical decision task.

 

Lexical access—the retrieval of stored words from the mental lexicon—is fundamental to real-time language comprehension and production. In monolinguals, this process is typically automatic and efficient. However, in multilingual individuals, lexical access becomes significantly more complex due to the presence of multiple, overlapping language systems. Trilingualism, especially in linguistically diverse regions like Uzbekistan, introduces a unique dynamic wherein each language plays a different sociocultural and functional role. Uzbek, as the official state language, is often acquired first (L1) and used predominantly in familial and national contexts. Russian, although not an official language, retains strong sociolinguistic influence due to historical, academic, and media exposure, functioning as a de facto second language (L2) for many. English, increasingly integrated into the educational system and international communication, typically serves as the third language (L3), acquired later through formal instruction.

Understanding how these languages are accessed in the mind has both theoretical and applied significance. From a psycholinguistic standpoint, it allows us to examine how cognitive resources are distributed across language systems. Practically, it informs language teaching, cognitive assessment, and clinical diagnosis for multilingual individuals.

The present study focuses on measuring lexical access speed across three languages using a Lexical Decision Task (LDT). Specifically, it addresses the following research questions:

1. Which language yields the fastest lexical access among trilingual Uzbek–Russian–English speakers?
2. How do language dominance and usage frequency influence access speed?
3. Are there consistent patterns in word retrieval latency across participants?

By systematically comparing access speeds and drawing correlations with self-reported language use, this study aims to contribute empirical insights to the broader field of bilingual and trilingual processing models. The outcomes not only shed light on the cognitive structure of trilingual speakers but also propose implications for educational policy, particularly in contexts where multilingualism is the norm rather than the exception.

Lexical access in multilingual individuals has long intrigued psycholinguists, especially in contexts involving unbalanced language exposure and usage. Classic models such as Levelt’s (1989) model of speech production emphasize a serial progression from conceptualization to articulation, where lexical retrieval plays a key intermediate role. For bilinguals and trilinguals, this process is not always linear due to the co-activation of multiple lexicons (Kroll & Stewart, 1994; Dijkstra & van Heuven, 2002). The Bilingual Interactive Activation Plus (BIA+) model further refines this understanding by suggesting that both target and non-target languages are simultaneously activated during word recognition, with inhibitory mechanisms managing language selection.

Recent empirical research on trilinguals indicates that lexical access latency is modulated by a range of variables: age of acquisition (AoA), language dominance, frequency of use, and emotional significance (Costa et al., 2000; Tokowicz & Kroll, 2007). For instance, de Groot (2011) observed that L1 access remains fastest in most contexts, but domain-specific proficiency may reverse this trend, especially when the L2 or L3 is frequently used in academic or professional settings.

In Central Asian multilingual communities, research remains limited. However, studies by Sharipov (2018) and Nurmurodova (2020) indicate that Uzbek speakers often switch to Russian in academic discourse and to English in digital and professional spheres. This pragmatic distribution suggests a form of contextual language dominance, which may not always align with chronological order of acquisition.

Despite these advances, trilingual lexical access in post-Soviet societies remains understudied. The current study fills this gap by offering quantitative data on access speed across three actively used languages in Uzbekistan, drawing connections between cognitive activation and sociolinguistic patterns.

This study highlights the intricate and dynamic nature of lexical access in trilingual speakers of Uzbek, Russian, and English. The data suggest that although Uzbek generally serves as the dominant and most accessible language for most participants—presumably due to early acquisition and daily usage—Russian, which holds significant functional value in academic, scientific, and media domains in Uzbekistan, at times surpassed Uzbek in lexical retrieval speed. This finding challenges the traditional assumption that the first language (L1) always ensures the fastest access, emphasizing instead the role of contextual language dominance and domain-specific language activation.

English, as the third language (L3) and often acquired through formal education rather than naturalistic exposure, demonstrated comparatively slower access speeds. This result is consistent with the weaker links hypothesis, which posits that less frequently used languages create weaker associative pathways in the mental lexicon, leading to delayed retrieval.

These findings have several pedagogical and theoretical implications. First, they support the idea that language proficiency alone is insufficient to predict lexical access efficiency; educators and researchers must also consider the emotional salience, frequency of use, and functional distribution of each language within a speaker’s life. Language educators in multilingual societies like Uzbekistan should adopt a more context-sensitive approach, designing instruction that mirrors learners’ real-world language environments. Furthermore, the results reinforce psycholinguistic models that emphasize co-activation and competition among multiple lexicons, particularly in multilinguals navigating sociolinguistically layered settings. The overlap and interaction between languages in the brain appear to be shaped by both linguistic history and current sociocultural utility. 

For future research, it is advisable to expand the demographic scope of participants to encompass a more diverse range of language users, including older adults, early childhood trilinguals, and individuals from rural or monolingual-dominant regions. Such inclusion would allow for a more comprehensive analysis of how variables such as age, linguistic exposure, and local language ecology influence lexical access and processing in multilingual individuals. These demographic extensions could reveal developmental, experiential, and sociolinguistic dimensions of multilingual lexical organization that are not captured in studies with homogenous participant pools.

Furthermore, integrating neuroimaging techniques—such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) or Electroencephalography (EEG)—would offer valuable insights into the neural correlates of lexical activation and selection in multilingual speakers. These methods could empirically substantiate behavioral findings and help delineate the cognitive and neurological mechanisms underlying the management of multiple lexicons. By combining behavioral data with neurophysiological evidence, future studies can deepen our understanding of how multilingual minds store, access, and control language in both everyday and cognitively demanding contexts.

References

1. Dijkstra, T., & van Heuven, W. J. B. (2002). The architecture of the bilingual word recognition system: From identification to decision. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 5(3), 175–197.
2. Kroll, J. F., & Tokowicz, N. (2005). Models of bilingual representation and processing: Looking back and to the future. In J. F. Kroll & A. M. B. De Groot (Eds.), Handbook of Bilingualism (pp. 531–553). Oxford University Press.
3. Levelt, W. J. M. (1989). Speaking: From Intention to Articulation. MIT Press.
4. de Groot, A. M. B. (2011). Language and Cognition in Bilinguals and Multilinguals: An Introduction. Psychology Press.
5. Marian, V., Blumenfeld, H. K., & Kaushanskaya, M. (2007). The Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (LEAP-Q): Assessing language profiles in bilinguals and multilinguals. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 50(4), 940–967.

The Historical Development of Turkic Loanwords in Modern Uzbek

Hafizullayeva Kamolaxon Ismatilla qizi

Uzbekistan State World Languages University

English First Faculty

Abstract: This article explores the historical trajectory and linguistic integration of Turkic loanwords in the Modern Uzbek language, tracing their evolution from early Turkic influences to contemporary usage. The Uzbek language, with its southeastern Turkic roots, has absorbed vocabulary from Kipchak, Karluk, and Oghuz branches due to centuries of migration, political consolidation, and cultural interconnectivity in Central Asia. These loanwords, though often from genetically related languages, represent dynamic borrowings reflecting regional, functional, and social developments. Drawing upon historical texts, etymological studies, and modern Uzbek corpora, the article identifies prevalent semantic fields such as kinship, governance, warfare, and daily communication where these loanwords dominate. It also examines their phonological adaptations and morphological integration into Uzbek’s agglutinative grammar. The study highlights the cultural continuity and identity-building role of these words, showing how they persist in standard and dialectal Uzbek speech. This research contributes to broader discussions on language contact, internal borrowing, and Turkic linguistic heritage.

Keywords: Uzbek language, Turkic loanwords, historical linguistics, Central Asia, Chagatai, lexical borrowing, language evolution

The Uzbek language, a principal representative of the southeastern (Karluk) branch of the Turkic language family, demonstrates a rich amalgamation of linguistic features inherited from various periods of cultural and political transformation in Central Asia. While Modern Uzbek is often viewed through the lens of Soviet-era reforms and Persian-Arabic-Russian influences, a critical yet underexamined layer of its vocabulary consists of Turkic loanwords—lexical items borrowed or adapted from sister languages within the Turkic family. Unlike borrowings from unrelated languages, Turkic-to-Turkic lexical transfers occur within a shared typological and genetic framework, often blurring the line between inheritance and borrowing.

This paper investigates the historical development, integration, and contemporary function of Turkic loanwords in Uzbek. It provides a diachronic analysis by considering the socio-historical contexts that facilitated these borrowings, ranging from nomadic confederations to sedentary empires. Through semantic, phonological, and morphological analysis, the study aims to highlight how Turkic loanwords reflect broader historical and identity-forming processes in Uzbek linguistic culture.

The formation of the Uzbek language cannot be separated from the broader historical landscape of Central Asia—a region long inhabited and ruled by Turkic-speaking peoples. From the 6th century onward, the Turkic migrations, notably under the Göktürks, Uighurs, and later the Karluks, laid the foundation for a Turkic-speaking continuum across the steppe and settled regions. The Karluks, in particular, played a central role in establishing what would become the Chagatai literary tradition, a precursor to modern Uzbek.

During the Timurid Renaissance (14th–15th centuries), Chagatai Turkic flourished as a lingua franca and literary language, incorporating elements from both Karluk and Kipchak dialects. Later, during the Shaybanid and Ashtarkhanid periods, the influence of Kipchak Turkic grew stronger due to political realignments and migration. With the rise of national languages in the 20th century and Soviet standardization, Modern Uzbek emerged as a distinct codified language, retaining many archaic and regional Turkic words despite increased Persian, Arabic, and Russian influence.

These historical layers created a complex linguistic ecosystem in which Turkic loanwords were not just retained but actively maintained across dialects, literature, and oral traditions. Today, these words serve as linguistic fossils, offering insights into historical interactions, tribal affiliations, and the sociopolitical dynamics of Turkic-speaking societies.

Turkic loanwords in Uzbek are particularly prevalent in the following areas:

1. Kinship and Social Relations: Words like ota (father), aka (older brother), tog’a (maternal uncle), and jiyan (nephew/niece) are of Turkic origin. These terms are crucial in expressing familial hierarchy and social roles in Uzbek society.
2. Governance and Warfare: Terms such as xon (khan), askari (soldier), bek (chieftain), and urush (war) originate from early Turkic military and political systems and retain their symbolic and linguistic relevance.
3. Nature and Environment: Words like yulduz (star), oy (moon), qush (bird), daryo (river), and tosh (stone) exhibit semantic stability, reflecting a deep continuity with nature-based worldviews of Turkic nomadic cultures.
4. Everyday Vocabulary: Verbs like kelmoq (to come), yemoq (to eat), olmoq (to take), and nouns such as yo‘l (road), qul (slave), and ko‘z (eye) demonstrate the foundational role of Turkic-origin words in everyday Uzbek speech.

Turkic loanwords in Uzbek often retain recognizable Turkic phonological features, although some changes occur due to dialectal variation and standardization. Palatal consonants, vowel harmony, and consonant clusters may shift in different regions. For example, the Old Turkic küč (strength) becomes kuch in Uzbek, reflecting vowel fronting and simplification.

Morphologically, these loanwords maintain agglutinative patterns, facilitating their integration into the Uzbek grammar system. Nouns easily take case endings, possessive suffixes, and plural markers, while verbs accept tense, mood, and aspect markers. This morphological compatibility aids their seamless assimilation into both literary and colloquial Uzbek.

An analysis of literary texts, dictionaries, and contemporary spoken Uzbek reveals a strong persistence of Turkic-origin lexicon, especially in rural dialects, traditional poetry, and informal discourse. Kinship terms, for instance, are predominantly Turkic in origin and usage, and they are central to both verbal interaction and cultural customs.

In sociolinguistic surveys, speakers often associate Turkic-origin words with authenticity and cultural pride, contrasting them with Russian borrowings that may evoke a sense of modernity but alienation. For instance, in conversational Uzbek, the word urush (war) is more frequently used than the Russian-derived voyna.

Turkic loanwords also act as cultural and ideological markers. Titles like bek, xon, and bobo carry social prestige and imply ancestral lineage. The sustained use of these terms in proverbs, idioms, and ceremonies shows their embeddedness in Uzbek identity. In education, students naturally absorb these words through textbooks and oral storytelling traditions, ensuring their intergenerational transmission.

Phonological variations across dialects further reveal how Turkic loanwords adapt to local speech patterns while retaining core semantic content. For instance, in Fergana and Khorezm dialects, phonetic shifts like aka vs eke (brother) indicate regional trajectories of Turkic lexical forms.

The historical development and sustained presence of Turkic loanwords in Modern Uzbek exemplify the profound and enduring linguistic, cultural, and social ties that connect the Uzbek language to its broader Turkic heritage. Far from being obsolete or merely historical relics, these words constitute a vital and dynamic component of the modern Uzbek lexicon. They permeate everyday speech, literary expression, traditional customs, and national identity, illustrating how language serves as a repository of collective memory and cultural continuity.

The resilience of these loanwords demonstrated by their continued adaptability across various dialects, registers, and generational groups highlight their functional relevance in both formal and informal contexts. In a linguistic environment increasingly influenced by global languages, particularly Russian and English, the sustained use of Turkic-origin vocabulary reflects an implicit yet powerful cultural stance: a commitment to linguistic authenticity and heritage preservation. These words are not only linguistic units but also symbolic artifacts that reinforce a shared historical consciousness among Turkic-speaking populations.

Moreover, their semantic versatility and phonological integration into Modern Uzbek reveal a process of natural internalization, rather than superficial borrowing. As such, the prevalence of Turkic elements in contemporary Uzbek discourse underscores a broader sociolinguistic phenomenon—where language functions not only as a means of communication but also as a marker of collective identity, resilience, and historical pride.

Additionally, the retention of these words in literature, media, and oral culture suggests a linguistic conservatism that values authenticity, familiarity, and cultural coherence. In this way, Turkic loanwords are both functional linguistic tools and symbolic vessels of heritage.

By examining the semantic domains, phonological developments, and cultural connotations of Turkic-origin words in the Uzbek language, a broader narrative emerges-one that reflects linguistic continuity, cultural resilience, and the shaping of collective identity. The enduring presence and seamless integration of these lexical items into contemporary Uzbek is not merely a matter of etymological interest; it illustrates deep-rooted historical ties and reinforces the structural and cultural cohesion within the Turkic language family. These lexical continuities serve as markers of shared heritage and linguistic solidarity across Turkic-speaking communities.

To build upon this foundation, future research can adopt a multidisciplinary approach. Corpus-based lexical frequency analysis would provide empirical insight into the prevalence and distribution of Turkic-origin words across different registers and genres. Comparative phonological studies with neighboring Turkic languages such as Kazakh, Kyrgyz, or Turkmen could further reveal sound correspondences and shifts that reflect both divergence and convergence within the family. Additionally, sociolinguistic fieldwork focusing on generational attitudes, regional variation, and identity-related perceptions of Turkic vocabulary would enrich our understanding of how historical borrowings continue to influence and shape the modern Uzbek linguistic landscape.

References:

1. Johanson, L. (1998). The Structure of Turkic. In The Turkic Languages, ed. Lars Johanson and Éva Ágnes Csató. London: Routledge.
2. Eckmann, J. (1966). Chagatay Manual: Introduction, Grammar, Reader, and Vocabulary. Indiana University Press.
3. Räsänen, M. (1969). Versuch eines etymologischen Wörterbuchs der Turksprachen. Helsinki: Suomalais-Ugrilainen Seura.
4. Brown, K. D. & Ogilvie, S. (2008). Concise Encyclopedia of Languages of the World. Elsevier.

Language Attitudes Towards Regional Dialects in Uzbekistan

Aliasqarova Muslima Bahromjon qizi

Uzbekistan State World Languages University

English First Faculty

Abstract: This article investigates the sociolinguistic attitudes towards regional dialects of the Uzbek language across various regions of Uzbekistan, including Tashkent, Ferghana, Samarkand, and Khorezm. In a society where Standard Uzbek is promoted through education, media, and official communication, dialects remain powerful indicators of regional identity and cultural belonging. The study explores how speakers perceive the prestige, stigmatization, and practical functions of different dialects, particularly among youth and urban populations. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys and interviews, the research highlights the dynamics of linguistic hierarchy, code-switching, and the resilience of non-standard varieties. Findings suggest that while many view Standard Uzbek as a symbol of social mobility, regional dialects maintain strong emotional and cultural significance. These attitudes have implications for language planning, education policy, and national identity in post-Soviet Uzbekistan.

Keywords: Uzbek dialects, language attitudes, sociolinguistics, regional identity, Standard Uzbek, code-switching, language prestige, digital communication, linguistic diversity, Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is a linguistically rich and culturally complex nation, characterized by a wide array of regional dialects that reflect its diverse historical and sociolinguistic heritage. The Uzbek language, while officially unified under a standardized form, is internally varied across geographic regions, with dialects shaped by centuries of interaction with neighboring languages such as Russian, Persian, Arabic, and other Turkic varieties. These influences have left lasting imprints on phonology, vocabulary, and syntax, making dialectal diversity a central feature of the Uzbek linguistic landscape.

Following independence in 1991, Uzbekistan initiated a process of national consolidation, part of which included the promotion of Standard Uzbek as the official language of education, governance, and mass media. This standard variety, primarily based on the Tashkent dialect, was intended to unify the nation linguistically and symbolically represent a post-Soviet national identity. While this policy has significantly increased the visibility and institutional power of Standard Uzbek, it has not diminished the vitality of regional dialects, which remain widely used in informal communication, rural settings, and interpersonal networks. These dialects are not only linguistically distinct—in terms of phonetic, lexical, and grammatical features—but also socially and symbolically differentiated. Speakers often hold implicit or explicit attitudes toward various dialects, associating them with particular social traits such as prestige, rurality, education level, or authenticity. The central concern of this study is to explore how Uzbek speakers perceive both their own dialect and those of others, and what sociocultural meanings are embedded in these perceptions.

Understanding dialectal attitudes is crucial for unpacking broader questions of linguistic identity in a post-Soviet, multilingual society. It sheds light on how individuals negotiate belonging, social status, and cultural authenticity through language. Moreover, such insights are essential for informing equitable language policy—particularly in domains like education, teacher training, and public broadcasting—where the tension between linguistic standardization and regional variation remains a persistent challenge. By examining these dynamics, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between language, identity, and policy in contemporary Uzbekistan.

Uzbek dialects are generally grouped into three major categories: Northern, Southern, and Central dialects. Each has several sub-dialects that vary across regions. For instance, the Khorezm dialect in the northwest differs significantly from the Andijan-Ferghana variety in the east or the Samarkand-Bukhara dialects in the central region. These differences are not just linguistic but also carry social and historical associations.

The Soviet language policy prioritized Russian and often marginalized minority languages and dialects. Post-independence, Uzbekistan emphasized the Uzbek language but prioritized the standardized form to build national unity. This has led to a hierarchical linguistic landscape in which Standard Uzbek is perceived as more ‘modern,’ ‘educated,’ or ‘neutral,’ while regional dialects are seen as markers of tradition, rural life, or even backwardness.

However, dialects also serve as sources of local pride and identity. For many speakers, especially older generations and those in rural areas, dialects are the authentic form of Uzbek. They are used in oral storytelling, folk songs, and local customs, giving them strong cultural resonance.

The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. A total of 150 participants aged 18–40 were surveyed across four regions: Tashkent, Ferghana, Khorezm, and Samarkand. Respondents were asked to rate dialects based on attributes such as prestige, clarity, emotional warmth, and appropriateness in formal contexts. Additionally, 20 in-depth interviews were conducted to gain insights into personal experiences with dialect use.

Questions also focused on code-switching behavior, dialect usage in digital communication (e.g., social media), and perceptions of dialect use in education and media. The goal was to identify patterns in how people relate to their own and others’ dialects, and how these attitudes influence language choice.

The Tashkent dialect, due to its closeness to the standardized form, is widely perceived as the most prestigious. It is associated with education, professionalism, and urban sophistication. On the other hand, dialects like Khorezmian and some Ferghana sub-dialects are often perceived as rural, non-standard, or humorous, and are frequently the subject of jokes or caricatures in media. In some cases, this stigmatization leads speakers to avoid using their dialect in public or formal settings.

Interestingly, the perception of prestige also varies by age and education level. Younger participants and those with higher education tend to view the standard dialect as a necessary tool for career advancement. Meanwhile, older participants often express nostalgia for the richness of dialectal expression and lament the decline of dialect use among youth.

Despite the perceived lack of prestige, many respondents expressed strong attachment to their regional dialects. In places like Samarkand and Khorezm, the local dialect is viewed as a crucial part of cultural heritage. Dialect use often signals solidarity, authenticity, and emotional warmth, particularly in family and community settings. Some even reported intentionally preserving dialectal features in speech to assert their regional identity.

In these regions, dialects are not merely seen as linguistic variants but as symbols of historical continuity and pride. For example, the Khorezm dialect is closely linked to the region’s historical status as a center of ancient civilization, and using the dialect is often framed as a form of cultural resistance to homogenization. Most participants reported shifting between dialect and Standard Uzbek depending on the context. For example, they might speak their native dialect at home but switch to the standard form in schools, universities, or workplaces. This indicates a high degree of linguistic adaptability and functional bilingualism within one language.

Code-switching is often strategic and context-sensitive. It reflects not just linguistic competence but also social awareness. Some respondents noted that switching to Standard Uzbek in formal settings made them feel more respected, while others admitted to feeling less authentic when avoiding their native dialect.

In recent years, social media platforms such as Telegram, Instagram, and TikTok have emerged as influential spaces where linguistic practices, including dialectal variation, are publicly performed, negotiated, and normalized. These digital arenas offer users a degree of expressive freedom not typically found in formal settings like education or state media. As a result, many users, particularly younger generations, increasingly blend Standard Uzbek with regional dialects, often for humorous, emotive, or identity-driven purposes. This code-mixing is especially prevalent in memes, short videos, and informal commentary, where dialectal features add nuance, authenticity, or comedic effect.

The growing visibility of dialects in online discourse signals a shift in the sociolinguistic landscape, where once-stigmatized or marginalized forms of speech gain new symbolic value. Informal digital communication, therefore, acts as a site of linguistic innovation and sociocultural negotiation, contributing to the gradual reconfiguration of dialect prestige. Over time, these trends may not only challenge traditional hierarchies that privilege standardized language forms but also foster a broader acceptance of linguistic diversity within the national linguistic identity. As such, the role of social media in reshaping language attitudes warrants further investigation, particularly in contexts like Uzbekistan where questions of language, identity, and modernity are closely intertwined.

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Moreover, online influencers and content creators have played a key role in normalizing dialect use. Several interviewees mentioned popular TikTokers or bloggers who use their native dialects with pride, making them more socially acceptable and even fashionable among young audiences.

Language attitudes toward regional dialects in Uzbekistan are multifaceted and evolving. While Standard Uzbek dominates formal domains and is associated with upward mobility, regional dialects continue to serve important roles in cultural identity, emotional expression, and local solidarity. The persistence and vitality of dialects suggest that linguistic diversity remains an essential part of Uzbek society. This study shows that dialects are not only linguistic forms but also powerful social symbols. Their usage patterns reflect broader dynamics of identity, prestige, and resistance. Therefore, acknowledging and valuing these dialects in public discourse, education, and media is crucial.

Policymakers and educators must take into account public attitudes toward dialects when formulating language education policies and developing media content. Numerous sociolinguistic studies have shown that language attitudes significantly influence learners’ motivation, self-perception, and academic outcomes (Baker, 1992; Garrett, 2010). In the context of Uzbekistan, where linguistic diversity includes various regional dialects of Uzbek, as well as minority languages such as Tajik, Kazakh, and Russian, fostering a positive orientation toward dialectal variation is essential for promoting linguistic equity and national cohesion.

Encouraging positive awareness of regional dialects can serve multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps combat the stigmatization of non-standard language varieties, which often affects speakers’ social mobility and self-esteem. Secondly, it plays a crucial role in preserving intangible cultural heritage, as dialects carry unique oral traditions, idioms, and identity markers. Thirdly, it contributes to building a more inclusive and pluralistic understanding of national identity—one that embraces diversity rather than imposing rigid linguistic norms.

The role of mass media in shaping language ideologies cannot be overstated. Stereotypical or caricatured portrayals of dialect speakers in television, film, and online content may reinforce negative biases and social hierarchies. Therefore, media producers should strive for balanced and respectful representations that reflect the richness of Uzbekistan’s linguistic landscape. Highlighting the contributions of dialect speakers in domains such as literature, music, comedy, and local governance could normalize and validate their linguistic identities.

Furthermore, systematic research is needed to monitor how attitudes toward dialects evolve, especially in a digital age marked by increased mobility, transnational communication, and generational change. Young people—particularly digital natives—consume and produce vast amounts of content on social media platforms, which often become arenas for both linguistic innovation and discrimination. Members of the Uzbek diaspora may also develop hybrid attitudes shaped by their host country’s sociolinguistic environment.

To this end, longitudinal studies and digital ethnographies offer promising methodologies for capturing the evolving dynamics of dialect usage and perception over time. By systematically observing linguistic behavior across extended periods and digital environments, researchers can uncover patterns of change, continuity, and innovation within everyday language practices. For example, tracking the frequency, context, and reception of dialectal features on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, or Telegram may illuminate emerging sociolinguistic trends—whether indicating increased prestige, playful subversion, or forms of resistance to standard norms.

These data-rich approaches can provide empirical grounding for understanding how digital communication shapes language ideologies, particularly among youth and diaspora communities. Moreover, such findings carry practical implications for language policy in Uzbekistan, where balancing the promotion of a unified national language with respect for regional and sociolinguistic diversity remains a complex challenge. Insights from digital spaces can inform more inclusive and context-sensitive policies in education, media, and cultural programming, ensuring that modernization efforts do not come at the expense of linguistic plurality and heritage.

References:

1. Fierman, W. (1991). Language planning and national development: The Uzbek experience. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
2. Pavlenko, A. (2008). Multilingualism in post-Soviet countries: Language revival, language removal, and sociolinguistic theory. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 11(3-4), 275–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050802148798 
3. Landau, J. M., & Kellner-Heinkele, B. (2001). Politics of Language in the Ex-Soviet Muslim States: Azerbayjan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
4. Karimov, R. (2016). Language situation in Uzbekistan: Problems and perspectives. International Journal of Central Asian Studies, 21, 45–58.