Russian loanwords and national identity in post-soviet Uzbekistan

What is it about?

This study shows that even after independence from the Soviet Union, Uzbek language media continued to use certain types of Russian loanwords as part of a larger project related to language planning and national identity. Using these loanwords was a way to emphasize difference between soviet Uzbekistan and independent Uzbekistan.

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Why is it important?

This study is a case study of how loanwords relate to language planning and national identity. It also demonstrates that processes of de-russification in independent Central Asian countries went hand in hand with strategic continued use of Russian.