MULTILINGUAL DYNAMICS IN BUKHARA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UZBEK, RUSSIAN, TAJIK, AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive study of multilingual dynamics in Bukhara, focusing on the interplay of four languages: Uzbek, Russian, Tajik, and English. It encompasses a broad spectrum of aspects related to language usage, dominance, influence, and shifts within a unique urban setting. The study confirms the dominant status of the Uzbek language in both public and private life in Bukhara, while also revealing the persistent influence of Russian, particularly among the older generation and in formal contexts. The integration of Tajik language within certain ethnic communities and the growing penetration of English, especially among the youth and in educational spheres, indicate dynamic changes in the city’s linguistic landscape. This research significantly enhances the understanding of multilingual dynamics in Bukhara, providing a detailed portrayal of the coexistence and interaction of these languages in a culturally rich urban setting, and has broader implications for understanding the dynamics of multilingualism in other urban contexts globally.