INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
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LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE AS AN EXPRESSION OF
NATIONAL THINKING
Yolchiyev Kamronbek
Andijan State Institute of Foreign Languages
: kamronbekyolchiyev39@gmail.com
Annotation:
this article provides a comprehensive and expanded analysis of the close and
intrinsic relationship between language and culture, particularly focusing on the role of
language in shaping and reflecting national thought. It argues that language is not only a tool
for communication but a sophisticated cultural mechanism that reflects the collective identity,
values, and worldview of a people. By drawing upon linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural
studies, the paper explores how national identity is preserved and transmitted through language.
It also considers how globalization poses challenges and opportunities for the protection and
development of national languages.
Keywords:
language, culture, national thought, sociolinguistics, national identity, linguistics,
globalization.
INTRODUCTION
Language is among the most essential and distinctive characteristics of human civilization.
While it serves as a medium of communication and information exchange, its function extends
beyond transmitting words—it embodies the spiritual, historical, and cultural wealth of a nation.
Every linguistic unit, be it a word, idiom, or grammatical structure, reflects a specific cultural
context. For this reason, the interdependence between language and culture has long fascinated
researchers across various disciplines.
In Uzbek culture, language carries the imprint of centuries of tradition, values, and collective
memory. Concepts like “mehr-oqibat” (compassion) and “or-nomus” (honor) are not merely
lexical entries but profound representations of national ethics and mentality. Therefore,
understanding a language implies delving into the unique worldview it embodies. This paper
aims to deepen the understanding of how language serves as a mirror of national thought,
revealing both the visible and hidden layers of a people’s cultural heritage.
Language is one of the fundamental pillars of human society, representing far more than a
collection of words and sentences. It is a dynamic and living entity that reflects the collective
memory and unique spirit of a people. The connection between language and culture is not
coincidental; it is a symbiotic relationship where one shapes and is shaped by the other. A
nation’s language acts as a repository for its historical experiences, a framework for its social
structures, and a lens through which its members perceive and interpret the world. It is through
language that a community transmits its traditions, values, and knowledge from one generation
to the next, thereby ensuring the continuity of its cultural identity. In this context,
understanding the role of language as an expression of national thinking becomes crucial for
comprehending the essence of any nation. This article will explore how the structure,
vocabulary, and metaphorical richness of a language contribute to the formation of a distinct
national worldview, and how the erosion of linguistic diversity in the face of globalization
poses a significant threat to cultural and intellectual pluralism.
LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHODOLOGY
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ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
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The intricate relationship between language and culture has intrigued scholars for centuries.
Wilhelm von Humboldt, a German philosopher and linguist, described language as the 'external
manifestation of the internal spirit of a people.' His philosophy emphasized that language is a
creative force shaping the worldview of its speakers. Similarly, the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
posits that the structure of a language influences its speakers’ perception and cognition.
According to this hypothesis, people understand the world primarily through the lens of their
native language.
In Uzbek linguistic thought, the works of scholars like Sh. Rahmatullayev and M. Tursunova
have contributed to the understanding of national identity through language. Their research
highlights how culturally bound terms, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical structures carry
cognitive frameworks embedded in Uzbek identity.
This article applies a qualitative methodological approach, combining theoretical research with
linguistic and cultural analysis. It examines linguistic elements in the Uzbek language—
including vocabulary, idioms, and proverbs—that reflect national thinking. The study also
integrates comparative insights from other linguistic traditions to further validate the
universality of the link between language and thought.
Our methodology is based on a qualitative, interdisciplinary approach. We will analyze
linguistic data, including idiomatic expressions, proverbs, and lexical items that are unique to a
specific language, to demonstrate how they encapsulate a nation's specific values and historical
experiences. For instance, the analysis of proverbs will reveal a society's core beliefs about
wisdom, labor, and social relations. We will also perform a discourse analysis of key literary
and historical texts to identify recurring themes and concepts that are central to the national
psyche. The study will synthesize insights from linguistics, history, and cultural studies to
provide a holistic understanding of the subject. A comparative analysis will be used to contrast
how different languages express similar concepts, thereby highlighting the unique cognitive
frameworks they create. This rigorous approach will allow us to move beyond anecdotal
evidence and provide a structured, evidence-based argument for the profound role of language
in shaping national thought.
DISCUSSION AND RESULTS
The Uzbek language is rich in expressions and lexical choices that reflect the core of Uzbek
cultural values. Words such as ‘mehr-oqibat’, ‘or-nomus’, and ‘andisha’ do not simply denote
meanings but symbolize ethical and philosophical values. The concept of ‘mehr-oqibat’, for
instance, entails emotional warmth, empathy, and mutual support—values deeply rooted in
Uzbek social structures. Meanwhile, ‘or-nomus’ combines honor, dignity, and social
responsibility, acting as a moral compass for behavior.
Language also encodes history and collective memory through metaphors and idioms. For
instance, idioms like “Ko‘ngil ko‘chasi” (The alley of the heart) and “Jonini jabborga bermoq”
(To give one's soul to Jabborg) express internal emotional states, reflecting the importance of
spiritual depth and endurance in Uzbek culture. These expressions cannot be translated literally
without losing their cultural essence, illustrating how language maintains national specificity.
Moreover, the structure of language impacts how individuals from different cultures process
information. In Uzbek, the use of respectful suffixes and polite forms is not just linguistic but
cultural, promoting humility and reverence, especially toward elders and authority figures. This
demonstrates how language governs behavior and social norms.
The semantic richness of language also shapes the values of a community. The term 'andisha',
for example, combines ideas of caution, modesty, and social awareness, revealing how deeply
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 08,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
231
interwoven personal behavior and collective expectations are in Uzbek society. Such culturally
loaded terms foster group cohesion and continuity of values across generations.
From an international perspective, similar patterns are found. For instance, in Japanese, the
term 'wa' refers to harmony and social balance, while in Arabic, 'karama' (dignity) reflects
spiritual honor and integrity. These parallels demonstrate that language universally serves as a
vessel for national thought, though with unique expressions shaped by each culture’s
experiences.
CONCLUSION
Language is far more than a communication tool—it is the soul of a nation, emdiving its
values, traditions, and worldview. Through language, generations inherit a shared identity, and
societies preserve their historical and cultural continuity. As shown throughout this paper, the
Uzbek language serves as a vibrant repository of national thought, reflecting a unique
philosophy of life and moral system.
In an era of rapid globalization, the preservation of national languages requires not only
educational reform but also cultural policy support. National languages should be promoted
through literature, education, digital media, and scientific research. Teaching young people the
richness and subtleties of their native language will help maintain cultural heritage and
strengthen national identity.
Future studies may further explore the influence of modern communication technologies on
language evolution and the sustainability of cultural values encoded within language. The more
we understand this relationship, the better we can support linguistic diversity as a foundation of
global cultural wealth.
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Einfluss auf die geistige Entwicklung des Menschengeschlechts'. Berlin: Ferdinand Dümmler,
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2. Sapir, E. 'Language: An Introduction to the Study of Speech'. New York: Harcourt, Brace &
Company, 1921.
3. Whorf, B. L. 'Language, Thought, and Reality: Selected Writings of Benjamin Lee Whorf'.
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4. Zvegintsev, V. A. 'History of Linguistics in the 19th and 20th Centuries in Essays and
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5. Rahmatullayev, Sh. 'Explanatory Dictionary of the Uzbek Language'. Tashkent: National
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