Persian-Tajik Izafa Constructions in The Uzbek Language and Their Functional Scope

Abstract

This article examines the syntactic and semantic features of Persian-Tajik izafa constructions within the Uzbek language, focusing on their historical development, structural integration, and phonetic transformation. Through examples drawn from classical Uzbek literature, particularly the works of Alisher Navoi and his successors, the study explores how izafa constructions were adopted and adapted in Uzbek, often resulting in idiomatic expressions with shifted meanings. The research also addresses the typological differences between Uzbek and Tajik, as well as the implications of these structures for modern Uzbek phonology, lexicon, and stylistics. The article argues that the prevalence of these constructions in both literary and spoken Uzbek highlights the profound influence of Persian-Tajik on Uzbek linguistic and cultural identity.