Uzbekistan updates its Latin-based alphabet

The President of Uzbekistan has signed a law on improving the Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script. Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration, announced this and emphasized the decision’s historic significance.

She noted that the need to improve the alphabet has been debated publicly for many years. On December 11, 2023, Saida Mirziyoyeva proposed refining it at a conference dedicated to the legacy of the Jadids.

She noted that updating the writing system is necessary to address its current shortcomings and strengthen the Uzbek language’s presence in the digital space. She also acknowledged that changes naturally raise questions and concerns, while emphasizing that improving the alphabet is an important step in the national language’s continued development.

Particular attention has been paid to minimizing the costs of the transition to the improved writing system.

“Will all documents now have to be replaced? Not at all. We have chosen an approach that keeps costs to a minimum: all existing documents, the national currency, and securities will remain valid, while textbooks, signs, and signposts will be replaced gradually as they reach the end of their service life”, Saida Mirziyoyeva wrote.

The adoption of the law on October 21, Uzbek Language Day, holds special symbolic significance. According to the Head of the Presidential Administration, improving the alphabet will help raise literacy among young people, strengthen the Uzbek language’s standing, and advance the ideals of past reformist educators.

Aziza Alimova, UzA