BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 21. Uzbekistan has
adopted a law to improve its Latin-based Uzbek alphabet, Saida
Mirziyoyeva said, describing the move as a step toward resolving a
long-running debate over the country’s writing system and
strengthening the Uzbek language’s position in the digital
environment.
This was reflected in the statement posted by the Head of the
Presidential Administration, Saida Mirziyoyeva, on her social media
account.
In a statement marking Uzbek Language Day on October 21,
Mirziyoyeva said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had signed the law on
improving the alphabet.
Mirziyoyeva said she had proposed revising the alphabet at a
conference dedicated to the legacy of the Jadids, a movement of
Central Asian Muslim reformers and educators, on Dec. 11, 2023,
arguing that it was time to bring years of debate to an end.
She acknowledged that changes to the writing system could cause
concern but said revising the alphabet was necessary to address
shortcomings in the existing script and strengthen the Uzbek
language’s role in the digital space.
Mirziyoyeva also sought to reassure the public that the changes
would not invalidate existing documents.
“All existing documents, the national currency and securities
will remain valid,” she said, adding that textbooks, signs and road
signs would be replaced gradually as they reached the end of their
service life to minimize costs.
She said signing the law on Oct. 21, Uzbek Language Day, carried
symbolic significance and expressed confidence that the revised
alphabet would help advance the educational aspirations of earlier
generations of reformers, improve young people’s literacy and
strengthen the standing of the Uzbek language.
Mirziyoyeva concluded by congratulating the public on Uzbek
Language Day.
