Uzbekistan decides to adjust the alphabet. It will have more letters
The Senate of Uzbekistan has approved a law on amending the Uzbek alphabet based on Latin script and sent it for consideration to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The new version will consist of 28 letters and one apostrophe instead of the current 26 letters and three letter combinations, reports Gazeta.uz.
Illustrative image. Photo: gazeta.uz
The need for reform was explained not only by orthography but also by problems using the Uzbek language in the digital environment. The issue of improving the Uzbek Latin alphabet remained unresolved for about 30 years. In 2023, Mirziyoyev proposed reviewing the alphabet and instructed specialists to prepare a corresponding draft law.
According to the proposed changes, four sounds currently conveyed by two-letter combinations in the Uzbek alphabet will receive separate symbols. Instead of Sh, Ş will be used; instead of Ch — Ç; instead of Oʻ — Ö; and instead of Gʻ — Ğ. The remaining letters will stay unchanged.
The authorities consider the writing of Oʻ and Gʻ a particular problem. On a computer, typing such characters sometimes requires up to six actions, and in practice, more than ten different variants of apostrophes and other signs are used. As a result, computer programs and search engines may perceive identical words as different. This complicates the creation of electronic dictionaries, software, and other digital products in the Uzbek language.
The changes will also affect the combinations Ch and Sh. The senator noted that the corresponding sounds are very frequently used in the Uzbek language — according to him, three to five times more often than in English. The use of two-letter combinations can complicate the writing and reading of words and lead to orthographic confusion.
The developers believe that the new separate symbols should facilitate the digitalization of the Uzbek language. According to the senator's statements, this could triple the speed of creating national keyboards and artificial intelligence models, including text-to-speech systems.
The updated alphabet should also comply with international ISO standards and simplify work with documents abroad. Its alignment with the alphabets of other Turkic-speaking countries that use Latin script, as the reform's authors believe, can facilitate book exchange and translations, as well as promote the development of cultural, scientific, and economic ties.
The transition to the new alphabet will happen gradually. Until the new norms come into force, documents, national currency, and securities issued according to the current alphabet will be allowed. State bodies and organizations will also not have to immediately change previous symbols and other design elements.
Old signs, pointers with geographical names, building design elements, and other similar objects can be retained until their physical wear and tear or until the deadlines determined by a special law implementation program.