Khwarazmian Uzbek language

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Khwarazmian Uzbek
Xorezmché
Geographic
distribution		 Khorazm Region of Uzbekistan
EthnicityUzbeks
Native speakers
2,000,000[1]
Linguistic classificationTurkic
Subdivisions
  • Northeastern Oghuz
Language codes
Glottologuzk  (Khwarazmian)

Khwarazmian Uzbek[2][3][4][5][6] also known as Oghuz Uzbek, is a variety of the Oghuz branch of the Turkic language family, spoken in the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan by ethnic Uzbeks. It is closely related to neighboring Turkmen and also Azerbaijani language.[7][8]

Standard Uzbek, a Turkic language of the Karluk branch, is distinct from Khwarazm Uzbek. Khwarazm Uzbek has different roots and belongs to the Oghuz branch. It is not the same language as Standard Uzbek. Speakers of Standard Uzbek generally do not understand Khwarazm Uzbek, as it developed separately and shares closer ties with Oghuz Turkic languages.

History

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The origins of Khwarazm-Oghuz Uzbek trace back to Oghuz Turkic migrations into the region between the 9th and 11th centuries. The ancient region of Khwarazm (also spelled Chorasmia) was initially inhabited by speakers of Eastern Iranian languages, notably Khwarezmian, but underwent Turkification during and after the Oghuz and later Mongol periods.[9]

Under various empires, including the Khwarazmian Dynasty, Timurids, and Khanate of Khiva, the region became a stronghold of Turkic-speaking populations. Over time, the local dialect developed into a unique Oghuz variety, which today survives as Khwarazm-Oghuz Uzbek.[10][11]

Geographic Distribution

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Khwarazm-Oghuz Uzbek is spoken mainly in: • Khorezm Region (Khiva, Urgench, Hazarasp) • Parts of Karakalpakstan • Certain areas of northern Turkmenistan

Estimates suggest that up to 2 million people may speak this dialect, though precise figures are difficult due to its classification under the general category of “Uzbek” in national censuses.

Linguistic Classification

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• Language family: Turkic • Branch: Oghuz • Related to: Turkmen, Azerbaijani, Turkish • Not related to: Standard Uzbek (Karluk branch)

Khwarazm-Oghuz Uzbek shares core grammatical and phonological features with other Oghuz Turkic languages, including vowel harmony, voicing of stops, and the use of Oghuz-specific verb endings and particles. It differs significantly from Standard Uzbek in vocabulary, sound structure, and morphosyntax, making mutual intelligibility between the two limited.

References

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Khwarazm-Oghuz Uzbek is spoken mainly in: • Khorezm Region (Khiva, Urgench, Hazarasp) • Parts of Karakalpakstan • Certain areas of northern Turkmenistan

Estimates suggest that up to 2 million people may speak this dialect, though precise figures are difficult due to its classification under the general category of “Uzbek” in national censuses.

  1. ^ "Oghuz Uzbek". docs.verbix.com. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  2. ^ Yuldasheva, Dilnoza; Qurbonov, Bekzod; Muxammadov, Javoxir (2024-12-12). "DIALECTOLOGY: DIALECTS OF THE UZBEK LANGUAGE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS". Web Of Journals.
  3. ^ Küçuk, Serhat (07.06.2024). "Oghuz dialect in Uzbek Turkish and its distinctive phonetic features". Dergi Park Akademik. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Iskandarova, Dilfuza; Hayitboyeva, Dinora (2024). "DIVERSITY OF KHOREZMIAN DIALECTS: EXPLORING KIPCHAK AND OGHUZ VARIATIONS". uzreaserchers. 1 (13): 90–96.
  5. ^ Bobur, Saburov (2024-01-16). "SYNONYMS OF NOUNS IN THE TURKISH LANGUAGE AND THE KHORAZM DIALECT". Biruni Journal.
  6. ^ Allaberdiev Alijon, Alijon (June 2018). "The Relations of Turkic Lexical Units in the Bukhara Oghuz Dialects to Other Turkic Languages and Heritage". International Journal Anglisticum. 7 (6): 95–100.
  7. ^ Doerfer, Gerhard (June 30, 1991). "CENTRAL ASIA xiv. Turkish-Iranian Language Contacts".
  8. ^ DOBOS, ÉVA (1974). "An Oghuz Dialect of Uzbek Spoken in Urgench". Acta Orientalia Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. 28 (1): 75–97. JSTOR 23657258.
  9. ^ Hayitboyeva, Dinora (May 2024). "DIVERSITY OF KHOREZMIAN DIALECTS: EXPLORING KIPCHAK AND OGHUZ VARIATIONS". Konferensiyalar | Conferences. 1 (13): 90–96.
  10. ^ Turaeva, Rano (January 2015). "Linguistic Ambiguities of Uzbek and Classification of Uzbek Dialects".
  11. ^ Agostini, Alessandro. "A Lexical-Semantic Database for the Uzbek Language".