DEVELOPING TWO TONGUES: LINGUISTIC CHANGES IN UZBEK–ENGLISH BILINGUAL CHILDHOOD

Abstract

Bilingual childhood provides a unique window into the dynamic processes of language development, identity formation, and cultural adaptation. This paper explores the linguistic changes observed in Uzbek–English bilingual children, focusing on phonological, lexical, syntactic, and pragmatic dimensions. The analysis highlights how children navigate two typologically distinct languages, often employing code-switching and transfer strategies that reshape their linguistic repertoires. By situating these patterns within broader theories of bilingual acquisition and sociocultural influences, the study emphasizes both the cognitive advantages and the challenges of growing up with “two tongues.”