TRADITIONS OF LEXICOGRAPHY IN THE UZBEK LANGUAGE AND MODERN STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

Аннотация

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); 60 CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCES International scientific-online conference 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 61 CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCES International scientific-online conference 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-lookin