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ETYMOLOGICAL FEATURES OF MILITARY TERMS IN ENGLISH, UZBEK, AND RUSSIAN LANGUAGES
Otabek Ziyadulayevich Rashidov
Termez State University, Teacher of the Interfaculty Department of Foreign
Languages [email protected]
Military terminology is a fascinating linguistic field, shaped by the historical, cultural, and geopolitical factors that have influenced societies over centuries. This article explores the etymological features of military terms in English, Uzbek, and Russian, focusing on their origins, linguistic borrowings, and semantic development. By comparing these three languages, we aim to reveal shared patterns and unique characteristics in their military lexicons, providing a deeper understanding of the interplay between language and culture in military discourse.
Keywords: Language and culture, military terminology, etymology, historical influences, linguistic borrowing, adaptation of terms, semantic evolution.
INTRODUCTION
Language serves as a repository of history and culture, and military terms are no exception. These terms often carry rich etymological histories, reflecting the technological advancements, alliances, and conflicts that shaped their development. This paper examines the etymological features of military terminology in English, Uzbek, and Russian, three languages representing distinct linguistic families: Germanic, Turkic, and Slavic, respectively. By analyzing their military vocabularies, this study aims to identify:
1. The historical influences shaping their lexicons.
2. The processes of linguistic borrowing and adaptation.
3. Commonalities and divergences in the semantic evolution of military
terms.
ABSTRACT
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METHODS
This study employs a qualitative comparative analysis of military terms in English, Uzbek, and Russian. The methodology involves:
1. Data Collection: Compiling a corpus of military terms from dictionaries, historical texts, and specialized glossaries in the three languages.
2. Etymological Analysis: Investigating the origins and historical developments of selected terms.
3. Comparative Analysis: Identifying patterns of borrowing, adaptation, and semantic shifts across the languages.
4. Contextual Interpretation: Relating findings to historical and cultural contexts to understand the factors driving linguistic change.
RESULTS
1. Historical Influences
English. English military terminology reflects its historical encounters with Norman French, Latin, and Germanic languages. Terms such as sergeant (from Old French sergent) and army (from Old French armee, ultimately from Latin arma) illustrate the profound influence of Norman conquest and Roman civilization. During World War II, new terms like radar emerged, reflecting technological advancements.
Uzbek. Uzbek military terms are deeply influenced by Persian, Arabic, and Russian due to historical ties and Soviet-era dominance. Words like askar (soldier) derive from Arabic, while tank and komandir are direct borrowings from Russian.
Russian. Russian military lexicon reveals influences from Old Church Slavonic, German, and French, particularly during the reign of Peter the Great and subsequent modernization efforts. Terms like soldat (from German Soldat) and generâl (from French général) showcase this linguistic borrowing.
2. Borrowing and Adaptation
Loanwords in English. English has borrowed extensively from French and Latin due to historical invasions and international military cooperation. The term battalion stems from Italian battaglione, reflecting Renaissance military innovations.
Loanwords in Uzbek. Uzbek incorporates Persian and
Arabic terms due to historical cultural exchanges. The Soviet
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era introduced Russian loanwords, such as polkovnik (colonel), which remain in use today.
Loanwords in Russian. Russian military terminology adopted many German and French terms during its Westernization period. The term kasarna (barracks) comes from French caserne.
3. Semantic Evolution
English. In English, terms like drone have evolved from referring to male bees to unmanned aerial vehicles, reflecting technological innovation.
Uzbek. Uzbek military terms often retain traditional meanings while adapting to modern contexts. For example, tojikar (archer) reflects historical warfare but is now part of literary usage.
Russian. Russian terms like vodka (submarine) illustrate the application of traditional roots to modern military technology, blending old and new linguistic elements.
DISCUSSION
The etymological features of military terms in English, Uzbek, and Russian reveal both shared and distinct linguistic phenomena. Commonalities include:
1. Borrowing as a Response to Innovation: All three languages adopt loanwords to describe new military technologies or organizational structures.
2. Semantic Shifts: Words often expand or change meanings to align with technological and cultural changes.
Differences arise from:
1. Historical Context: English reflects colonial and global military influences, Uzbek shows Central Asian and Soviet impacts, and Russian reveals European modernization.
2. Cultural Integration: The degree to which borrowed terms are assimilated varies, with English tending toward phonetic adaptation and Uzbek often retaining original forms.
CONCLUSION
The study of military terminology in English, Uzbek, and Russian highlights the dynamic interplay between language, culture,
and history. While all three languages exhibit significant
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borrowing and adaptation, their unique historical trajectories shape distinct military lexicons. Future research could explore the sociolinguistic implications of these findings, particularly in multilingual military contexts.
REFERENCES
1. Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.
2. Akiner, S. (1997). Cultural Change and Continuity in Central Asia. Routledge.
3. Worth, D. S. (1969). Russian Etymological Dictionary. Oxford University Press.
4. Norman, B. (1990). Loanwords in Uzbek. Central Asian Studies Journal.
5. Online Etymology Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.etymonline.com
6. Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.oed.com
7. Mathews, P. H. (2007). Oxford Concise Dictionary of Linguistics. Oxford University Press.
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