THE FORMATION OF NEW LEXICAL UNITS IN THE UZBEK LANGUAGE AND THEIR REPRESENTATION IN MODERN MASS MEDIA

Аннотация

This article aims to objectively analyze how new lexical units are formed in the Uzbek language, the main sources and factors contributing to their emergence, and how they are represented in contemporary mass media. Factors Influencing the Formation of New Lexical Units. Keywords: Uzbek language, lexical units, neologisms, formation factors, mass media, internet lexicon, globalization, language change. Introduction. Every language is a living, dynamic social phenomenon. It evolves, changes, enriches, and develops alongside the society in which it exists. Especially today, in the context of globalization, rapid advancement of information technologies, and the widespread influence of mass culture, this process has accelerated significantly. In recent years, many new words and expressions have emerged in the Uzbek language. These words are primarily spread through the internet, social networks, and mass media, gradually penetrating everyday speech. New lexical units are an important subject of study in linguistics. Through them, it is possible to observe how adaptable and responsive a language is to modern needs. In particular, the increasing presence of English loanwords, technology-related terms, youth slang, and expressions frequently used in the media contribute greatly to the enrichment of the Uzbek lexicon. Some of these words are adopted directly from foreign languages, while others are formed based on the word-formation rules of the Uzbek language. Mass media serves not only as a tool for information dissemination, but also plays a crucial role in shaping and popularizing new lexical items. Television broadcasts, print publications, online articles, blogs, YouTube videos, and platforms like Telegram and TikTok often introduce and reinforce new expressions—highlighting one of the most pressing features of language development today[1]. Main Body. An essential component of language development is the continual renewal of its lexical wealth. Every new era—marked by social change, scientific advancement, technological innovation, or cultural transformation—introduces new words into a language. The emergence of new lexical units is driven by various factors, among which the following are considered the most significant: Reforms in government, the emergence of new political terminology, and ideological shifts in society lead to the creation of new terms and expressions. Following Uzbekistan’s independence, phrases such as “New Uzbekistan,” “policy of openness,” “people-oriented,” “social protection,” and “mahalla-based approach” began to be widely used. These expressions emerged out of a need to define concepts that previously had no equivalent in the language[3]. Scientific and technological development results in the creation of new objects, phenomena, and processes that require naming. Computer technologies, artificial intelligence, medicine, biology, and other fields continuously generate new terminology. Examples include 127 ILM-FAN VA INNOVATSIYA ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI in-academy.uz/index.php/si “chip,” “scanner,” “online,” “programmer,” “smartphone,” and “blockchain,” all of which have become widely used in the Uzbek language[2]. The internet is currently one of the most prolific sources of new lexical items. Platforms such as YouTube, Telegram, TikTok, and Instagram introduce numerous words that quickly become popular, especially among the youth, and enter everyday communication[1]. Words like blogger, content, reels, stream, subs, challenge, post, and like are now commonly used. Some are borrowed directly without translation, while others are adapted to Uzbek usage—for example: layk (to press like), storiy (to post a story), follow (to follow), and subscribe (to subscribe)[4]. As a result of globalization, other languages—particularly English—exert a strong influence on Uzbek. Many words are borrowed directly without translation. These are often related to technological, economic, or cultural domains and reflect the integration of Uzbek with global terminology. Examples include: market, manager, PR, marketing, freelancer, startup, trend, target, and deadline[4]. The internal mechanisms of the language—such as derivational affixes, compound words, and metaphorical expressions—also contribute to the creation of new words[6]. Examples include: driving profession, teaching profession, book lover, to call each other, openly, and newsletter or information bulletin, all of which demonstrate the language’s productive word-formation capabilities[5]. Conclusion. Any change within a language reflects the transformations taking place in society. The emergence of new lexical units in the Uzbek language in recent years is a direct result of such social, cultural, and technological processes. These new words vividly illustrate the dynamic, evolving, and adaptable nature of language. As discussed in this paper, the formation of new lexical items is closely linked to socio-political shifts, the development of s