Language Policy In Uzbekistan: Attitude Towards State And Foreign Languages

Abstract

Language policy is a critical aspect of any nation’s development, influencing education, culture, and social cohesion. Uzbekistan, a diverse Central Asian nation with a rich linguistic heritage, has undergone significant language policy reforms since gaining independence in 1991. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of language policy in Uzbekistan, examining its historical context, evolution, and implications for education, identity, and nation-building. It delves into the nation’s linguistic diversity and the role of language in shaping its cultural identity. The study employs a range of methods to comprehensively assess the multifaceted landscape of language policy in Uzbekistan. The results and discussions highlight the importance of maintaining a balance between the preservation of linguistic diversity and the promotion of common national identity, and present the results of the analysis of the current role, importance, and level of use of the Russian, Uzbek, and English languages in society. The problem of the script is studied in terms of historical development, its previous and present state; advantages and negative consequences of the proposed solutions are listed. While the increasing role of English as a global lingua franca in the educational system of Uzbekistan is positively assessed, the strengthening of the reputation of the state language is assessed as one of the important tasks.