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TRADITIONS OF LEXICOGRAPHY IN THE UZBEK LANGUAGE AND
MODERN STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
Guzal Rustamovna Tilovova
Senior Lecturer at the University of Economics and Pedagogy.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15526605
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive study of the historical evolution and
contemporary advancement of lexicography in the Uzbek language. The paper
outlines the pivotal role that early Turkic dictionaries have played in shaping the
scientific study of the language, examining foundational texts such as Mahmud al-
Kashgari's "Dīwān Lugāt al-Turk" and Al-Zamakhshari's works. The article also
analyzes recent reforms in Uzbekistan’s language policy and the implementation
of state-level strategies aimed at reinforcing the status of Uzbek as the official
language.
Keywords
: Uzbek language, lexicography, historical dictionaries, Mahmud
al-Kashgari, Al-Zamakhshari, language policy, grammar, terminology, digitization,
state language
Lexicography has served as one of the foundational pillars in the scientific
development of the Uzbek language. The compilation of dictionaries was not only
a linguistic endeavor but also a cultural and political act, reflecting the intellectual
and ideological priorities of each historical epoch. From early Turkic lexicons to
the most recent digital glossaries, the evolution of Uzbek lexicographic tradition
reveals a consistent effort to document, systematize, and enrich the language.
The legacy of early Turkic lexicography is epitomized by the monumental
work of Mahmud al-Kashgari, whose 11th-century "Dīwān Lugāt al-Turk" was
intended to elevate the status of Turkic languages within the Islamic scholarly
community. This trilingual dictionary (Turkic-Arabic-Persian) not only cataloged
vocabulary but also preserved cultural idioms, proverbs, and ethnographic
insights.
Another important contributor is Al-Zamakhshari (12th century), whose
bilingual and multilingual dictionaries such as "Asās al-Balāgha" and
"Muqaddimat al-Adab" served as pedagogical tools for learning Arabic and
Persian, while also incorporating Turkic elements. His systematic approach to
language instruction anticipated modern principles of linguistic organization.
Other significant works in the classical tradition include:
Tole Imon Kheravi’s
Bada’i al-Lughat
(15th century), which focused on
poetic and literary lexicon;
Muhammad Yaqub Chingiy’s
Kelurnoma
(17th century);
CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN
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M.R. Khoksor’s
Muntakhab al-Lughat
(18th century);
Mirzo Mehdi Khan’s
Sanglah
(18th century);
Sulaymon Bukhari’s
Lughat-i Chigatoy va Turki Usmoniy
(19th century);
Anonymous works such as
At-Tuhfat uz-Zakiyah fi al-Lughat at-Turkiyah
(13th century) and
Abushqa
(16th century).
These dictionaries reflect the evolution of the Turkic lexicon across various
political, religious, and literary contexts.
Since Uzbekistan's independence, significant attention has been paid to
strengthening the status of the Uzbek language as the state language. Key
legislative acts, including Presidential Decrees PF-4797 (2016), PF-5850 (2019),
and PF-6084 (2020), have laid the groundwork for modern language planning.
These decrees emphasize the need for:
Creating academic and educational grammars;
Compiling interdisciplinary terminological dictionaries;
Publishing updated explanatory dictionaries;
Developing electronic lexicographic resources for public and academic use.
The National Program for the Development of the Uzbek Language and
Language Policy for 2020‒30 outlines a roadmap for digital transformation,
linguistic standardization, and the integration of Uzbek into science and
education.
One of the most transformative trends in modern lexicography is the
digitization of both historical and contemporary dictionaries. Institutions such as
the Uzbek Language Institute and the National University of Uzbekistan have
launched projects to digitize classical texts and develop electronic platforms that
allow users to access multilingual glossaries, corpora, and lexical databases.
Mobile applications and online portals now provide searchable access to
explanatory dictionaries, terminology banks, and spelling guides. These tools not
only facilitate language learning but also support researchers, translators, and
educators.
Historical dictionaries serve not only linguistic but also cultural and
civilizational purposes. They are repositories of knowledge about past societies,
worldviews, and linguistic creativity. Preserving and studying these texts
enhances our understanding of intellectual history and strengthens cultural
identity.
As Islam Karimov stated in
High Spirituality is an Invincible Force
: "Language
is the heart of a nation. Preserving and enriching it is the duty of every individual."
This principle underpins the rationale for continued investment in lexicographic
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projects.
The Uzbek lexicographic tradition is a dynamic and evolving field that
bridges historical scholarship with modern innovation. By integrating classical
heritage with digital technologies and forward-looking language policies,
Uzbekistan is laying the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive linguistic
future. Further research and institutional collaboration are essential to ensure
that lexicographic practices continue to reflect both national priorities and global
scientific standards.
References:
1.
Al-Kashgari, M. (11th century). Dīwān Lugāt al-Turk.
2.
Anonymous (13th century). At-Tuhfat uz-Zakiyah fi al-Lughat at-Turkiyah.
3.
Presidential Decrees: PF-4797 (2016), PF-5850 (2019), PF-6084 (2020).
4.
Uzbek Language Institute. (2022). Digital Lexicography Initiatives.
5.
Rakhmatullaev, Sh. (2020). Modern Trends in Uzbek Linguistics. Tashkent:
Fan nashriyoti.
6.
Shukurov, H. (2019). Terminology and Language Planning in Uzbekistan.
Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature.
