THE ROLE OF ALISHER NAVOI IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEK LINGUISTICS

Abstract

This article examines the significant role of Alisher Navoi in the formation and development of Uzbek linguistics, with particular emphasis on his contribution to the study of the Uzbek literary language, comparative linguistics, vocabulary, stylistics, and the artistic potential of Turkic languages. As one of the most prominent representatives of classical Turkic literature, Navoi made a substantial contribution to establishing the intellectual and literary prestige of the Turkic language during the fifteenth century. His celebrated work Muhakamat al-Lughatayn (“The Judgment of the Two Languages”) represents an important milestone in the history of linguistic thought in Central Asia. Through a comparative analysis of Turkic and Persian, Navoi sought to demonstrate the expressive richness, grammatical flexibility, and literary capabilities of his native language. The article also explores the relationship between Navoi’s linguistic ideas and the subsequent development of Uzbek literary standards, lexicography, literary criticism, and language education. It argues that Navoi’s linguistic heritage remains relevant to contemporary Uzbek linguistics, particularly in discussions concerning language identity, linguistic diversity, cultural heritage, and the preservation of the national literary tradition.