Language policy plays a critical role in shaping and enriching a nation's lexicon by guiding linguistic development through political, cultural, and educational mechanisms. This article examines how language policy in English-and Uzbek-speaking societies has influenced the evolution and expansion of their respective word stocks. While English, as a global lingua franca, has undergone enrichment primarily through borrowing, coinage, and technological innovation, Uzbek has experienced lexical enrichment through revitalization, standardization, and incorporation of international terminology, particularly after its independence from the Soviet Union. Comparative analysis reveals that proactive language policies–whether liberal or protectionist–impact the rate and manner of vocabulary growth. The paper concludes by highlighting the significance of strategic language planning in preserving linguistic identity while enabling adaptability to global communication needs.

Language policy, lexical enrichment, English language

Crystal, D. (2003). English as a Global Language. Cambridge University Press.

Fishman, J. A. (2006). Language Policy and Language Planning: Some New Directions. Multilingual Matters.

Haugen, E. (1966). Language Conflict and Language Planning. Harvard University Press.

Karimov, I. A. (1995). The Role of Language Policy in the National Renaissance of Uzbekistan. Tashkent: O‘zbekiston Milliy Ensiklopediyasi.

Shohruh, K. (2019). Lexical Modernization in Contemporary Uzbek Language. Uzbek Philology Journal, 4(2), 45–53.

Khamzaev S.A. (2024). Patterns of interaction of categories generalizing external factors of vocabulary development. Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics. Issue – 2 № 2 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701. Pp. 164-178

Mirzayev, S. (2020). Terminology Development in Post-Independence Uzbekistan. Central Asian Linguistics Review, 5(1), 70–85.

Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic Imperialism. Oxford University Press.