The Sociolinguistic Status of English in Modern Uzbekistan
Keywords:
Sociolinguistics, Language Policy, English in Uzbekistan, Linguistic Globalization, Multilingualism.Abstract
This study examines the contemporary sociolinguistic status of the English language in modern Uzbekistan, focusing on its rapid evolution from a traditional foreign language to a vital tool for socioeconomic development, higher education, and global integration. Prompted by extensive state-led educational reforms and shifting youth demographics, English has carved out an unprecedented niche alongside Uzbek, the state language, and Russian, the historically dominant regional lingua franca. Through a comprehensive analysis of recent language policies, educational initiatives, and societal attitudes up to 2026, this article demonstrates how English serves as an instrument of prestige and globalization, reflecting Uzbekistan’s broader modernization trajectory.
References
Alimova, S. K. (2025). The shift from Russian to English as a global lingua franca in Central Asian higher education. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 46(2), 145–162.
Karimov, B. A., & Rustamov, M. (2026). Language policy and socio-economic mobility: The impact of mandatory English certification in Uzbekistan. Language Policy, 25(1), 34–55.
Nazarov, A. S. (2025). The learning center phenomenon: Privatization and commercialization of English education in post-reform Uzbekistan. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 28(4), 412–429.
Sultanova, D. M. (2026). Trilingualism in the urban spaces of Uzbekistan: Assessing the domains of Uzbek, Russian, and English. Sociolinguistic Studies, 20(2), 201–224.
Tashmatov, N. (2025). English Medium Instruction (EMI) in Uzbek universities: Challenges, pedagogical shifts, and student perceptions. System, 118, 103–115.
Yusupov, O. M. (2025). Digital linguistic globalization: Code-switching and identity formation among Uzbek youth on social media platforms. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 2025(273), 89–112.
