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About foreign values entering through global languages and changes in the minds of young people
In the era of globalization, language learning has become a necessity. Each new language is a new opportunity, a new door. But through this door not only words and rules enter, but also culture, values, and a way of life. Every young person who learns a language actually gets acquainted with the worldview of another people, and sometimes absorbs the mentality of representatives of another nation and religion into their consciousness. This situation is especially evident in our country today.
Russian language: A legacy from history or cultural pressure?
One of the greatest legacies left to Uzbekistan from the former Soviet Union is the Russian language. Today, more than 1,000 Russian schools operate in our country, and the number of students studying in these schools exceeded 250,000 in 2024. This is more than 7% of the total number of schoolchildren.
Many people see this as an opportunity to learn the language, but on the other hand, it also increases indifference to the national language and culture. The number of young people who do not speak literary Uzbek and do not know their own history in depth is increasing. Among young people who study in Russian, the opinion that "we are ashamed to speak Uzbek" is widespread. There are also cases where representatives of other nationalities who have been living in Uzbekistan for almost 100 years, without knowing Uzbek, address the local population in Russian. This gives the impression that "I am the ruler of your territory." Regardless of nationality, every citizen in Uzbekistan must know the only state language - Uzbek. Refusing to do so is a sign of disrespect for the laws and a lack of respect for the people living in this country.
English: Global knowledge or imitation of the West?
English is the language of modern science and technology. The number of English language courses in Uzbekistan exceeded 10,000 in 2024. More than 500,000 young people are studying in English every year. However, along with the language, Western culture, lifestyle approaches, and psychological values are also entering. Content distributed through platforms such as Netflix, Instagram, and TikTok is introducing concepts such as "individualism," "egoism," "independence," and "mental health" into the minds of young people. Without a deep understanding of the essence of these concepts, as a result of their incorrect adaptation to the local environment, basic concepts such as family values and respect for parents are being weakened.
Korean Language and K-pop Culture: The Beginning of a Loss of Identity?
In Uzbekistan, about 10,000 young people were learning Korean in 2019, and by 2024 this figure had increased fivefold to 50,000. In addition to the education sector, the main reason for this was the influence of K-pop and Korean TV series (dramas).
The appearance, behavior, and speaking style of K-pop groups and actors have become an ideal for many young people. As a result, national values are being subjugated to foreign aesthetics. There is an increasing desire among young people to live in a Korean way (hairstyle, style of dress, even thinking about plastic surgery). This is forming a subconscious complex of "we are inferior, they are superior."
Assimilation or social stability?
Language and culture are inextricably linked. A young person who perfectly learns a language gradually begins to think like the native speakers of that language. This process is called cultural assimilation. A generation that does not understand its identity and is not proud of its language and values will be subject to any external influence.
Psychologists say that learning a language affects not only vocabulary, but also emotional thinking. When a person begins to think in a new language, the emotions and reactions inherent in this language also appear in his mind. Therefore, young people who do not think in their own language are cut off from the spiritual heritage of their people.
What to do?
Learning a language should be for the enrichment of identity, not for the loss of identity.
The most important task is to develop the literary Uzbek language and create contemporary content. It is necessary to popularize Uzbek culture in a modern format through platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, where young people spend the most time.
Choosing a language is choosing who we will be.
Let our youth speak English, Russian, Korean — but let them live in Uzbek. Every foreign language can be a door, but we must not leave our home when we enter through that door. Because a person who has lost his home will inevitably seek refuge in another country, no matter where he goes.
Mukhlisa Mahmud
In the era of globalization, language learning has become a necessity. Each new language is a new opportunity, a new door. But through this door not only words and rules enter, but also culture, values, and a way of life. Every young person who learns a language actually gets acquainted with the worldview of another people, and sometimes absorbs the mentality of representatives of another nation and religion into their consciousness. This situation is especially evident in our country today.
Russian language: A legacy from history or cultural pressure?
One of the greatest legacies left to Uzbekistan from the former Soviet Union is the Russian language. Today, more than 1,000 Russian schools operate in our country, and the number of students studying in these schools exceeded 250,000 in 2024. This is more than 7% of the total number of schoolchildren.
Many people see this as an opportunity to learn the language, but on the other hand, it also increases indifference to the national language and culture. The number of young people who do not speak literary Uzbek and do not know their own history in depth is increasing. Among young people who study in Russian, the opinion that "we are ashamed to speak Uzbek" is widespread. There are also cases where representatives of other nationalities who have been living in Uzbekistan for almost 100 years, without knowing Uzbek, address the local population in Russian. This gives the impression that "I am the ruler of your territory." Regardless of nationality, every citizen in Uzbekistan must know the only state language - Uzbek. Refusing to do so is a sign of disrespect for the laws and a lack of respect for the people living in this country.
English: Global knowledge or imitation of the West?
English is the language of modern science and technology. The number of English language courses in Uzbekistan exceeded 10,000 in 2024. More than 500,000 young people are studying in English every year. However, along with the language, Western culture, lifestyle approaches, and psychological values are also entering. Content distributed through platforms such as Netflix, Instagram, and TikTok is introducing concepts such as "individualism," "egoism," "independence," and "mental health" into the minds of young people. Without a deep understanding of the essence of these concepts, as a result of their incorrect adaptation to the local environment, basic concepts such as family values and respect for parents are being weakened.
Korean Language and K-pop Culture: The Beginning of a Loss of Identity?
In Uzbekistan, about 10,000 young people were learning Korean in 2019, and by 2024 this figure had increased fivefold to 50,000. In addition to the education sector, the main reason for this was the influence of K-pop and Korean TV series (dramas).
The appearance, behavior, and speaking style of K-pop groups and actors have become an ideal for many young people. As a result, national values are being subjugated to foreign aesthetics. There is an increasing desire among young people to live in a Korean way (hairstyle, style of dress, even thinking about plastic surgery). This is forming a subconscious complex of "we are inferior, they are superior."
Assimilation or social stability?
Language and culture are inextricably linked. A young person who perfectly learns a language gradually begins to think like the native speakers of that language. This process is called cultural assimilation. A generation that does not understand its identity and is not proud of its language and values will be subject to any external influence.
Psychologists say that learning a language affects not only vocabulary, but also emotional thinking. When a person begins to think in a new language, the emotions and reactions inherent in this language also appear in his mind. Therefore, young people who do not think in their own language are cut off from the spiritual heritage of their people.
What to do?
Learning a language should be for the enrichment of identity, not for the loss of identity.
The most important task is to develop the literary Uzbek language and create contemporary content. It is necessary to popularize Uzbek culture in a modern format through platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, where young people spend the most time.
Choosing a language is choosing who we will be.
Let our youth speak English, Russian, Korean — but let them live in Uzbek. Every foreign language can be a door, but we must not leave our home when we enter through that door. Because a person who has lost his home will inevitably seek refuge in another country, no matter where he goes.
Mukhlisa Mahmud
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