TASHKENT, October 21. /Dunyo IA/.  Farida Islamova, winner of the “Oltin Qalam” (“Golden Pen”) National Journalism Award, shared her reflections with Dunyo IA on the occasion of the Uzbek Language Day:

- Language is the spiritual wealth of a nation, its historical memory, and the expression of its national identity. Strengthening the status of the state language is not only a cultural task but also a strategic goal that contributes to the development of statehood, progress and the enhancement of the country's international prestige.

Today, in New Uzbekistan, special attention is being paid to the development of the Uzbek language, reinforcing its role in the life of society and raising its profile on the international stage. In this direction, a number of important documents have been adopted and the legal framework for the concept of developing the Uzbek language has been strengthened.

In recent years, large-scale work has been carried out on publishing dictionaries, regularizing geographical names, organizing language competitions and dictations, and expanding opportunities for foreigners to study the Uzbek language. Modern solutions for text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and translation are being created.

Special responsibility in this process is entrusted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomacy serves as an instrument for presenting the national interests, history and values of the country to the international community.

Competent conduct of paperwork in the state language and adherence to uniform linguistic norms in official documents enhance the quality of the diplomatic service. A diplomat who possesses a strong command of their native language and communicates fluently in foreign languages is capable of protecting the interests of their country more effectively.

Within the system of the Ministry, attention is paid to enhancing the linguistic culture of employees, literacy in using the Latin script, organizing the work of the library dedicated to the state language, and conducting the “Most Active Reader” competition and nationwide dictations. The formation of the dictionary of diplomatic terms also contributes to establishing unified and precise linguistic norms in this field.

Cultural diplomacy plays an important role in elevating the international prestige of the Uzbek language. Heritage of such cultural figures as Alisher Navoi and Abdulla Oripov, translations of literary works, Uzbek language study programs in foreign universities and cultural centers allow the introduction of our national values to the world.

Most importantly, the international prestige of a language is determined not only by its popularization, but also by its effective use in modern science, education, technology and international communication.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the preservation and development of the state language is the common responsibility of every organization and every citizen. By respecting the Uzbek language as a national heritage, developing it in accordance with the demands of the times and widely presenting it to the world, we can further strengthen our country's position on the international stage.