Gender And Language Use In Uzbek Society: A Sociolinguistic Perspective

Abstract

Language use is closely connected to social structure, cultural norms, and identity construction. Among the social variables that influence linguistic behavior, gender plays a particularly significant role. This article examines gender-related differences in language use within Uzbek society from a sociolinguistic perspective. Drawing on qualitative analysis and existing theoretical frameworks, the study explores lexical choices, communicative styles, politeness strategies, and discourse practices associated with men and women. Special attention is given to the interaction between traditional cultural norms and contemporary social change. The analysis suggests that while gendered language patterns remain visible in many communicative contexts, they are increasingly shaped by education, urbanization, and digital communication. The article argues that gender should be understood as a dynamic social factor rather than a fixed linguistic determinant and highlights the relevance of genderaware approaches in linguistic research and pedagogy