GENDER - NEUTRAL VOCABULARY IN THE OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATIVE STYLE OF ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “INTEGRATION OF MODERN LINGUISTICS WITH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PRACTICE IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBALIZATION: NEW APPROACHES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES”, DECEMBER 4, 2025 239 GENDER - NEUTRAL VOCABULARY IN THE OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATIVE STYLE OF ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES 1Nurullayeva Madina Jaloliddinovna, 2Nomozova Nilufar Meyliqulovna 1,2Student of the Languages faculty, NSU https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17802749 Abstract. This study discusses how gender-neutral vocabulary is used in the officialadministrative style of the English and Uzbek languages. The main aim of the article is to show how both languages express gender neutrality in formal communication and to compare their similarities and differences. The research uses descriptive and comparative methods and is based on official documents, government websites, and modern administrative texts. The results show that English is actively replacing gendered words with neutral ones, such as “chairperson,” “police officer,” and the singular “they”. In Uzbek, gender neutrality appears naturally because the language has no grammatical gender, although some social stereotypes still influence word choice. The findings help explain how gender is reflected in functional styles and how inclusive language is developing in both languages. Keywords: gender-neutral vocabulary; official-administrative style; English language; Uzbek language; inclusive language; grammatical gender; functional stylistics; comparative analysis; administrative discourse. Introduction Language is a way for people to communicate and show different processes in society. In recent years, gender equality has become important not only in social life but also in language studies. In English, gender-neutral words are used more and more in official texts. For example, before people used words like “chairman” or “policeman,” but now neutral words like “chairperson” or “police officer” are preferred. In Uzbek, there is no grammatical gender, so most words are naturally neutral. However, some social ideas about gender can still affect word choice. The article looks at how English and Uzbek official-administrative texts use gender-neutral words and compares their similarities and differences. The results can help not only language studies but also writing official texts fairly and clearly. Methodology This study uses a clear and simple approach to understand how gender-neutral words are used in English and Uzbek official-administrative texts. The research uses descriptive and comparative methods, which means it describes language use and compares the two languages to identify similarities and differences. Data collection. The texts for this study include official documents, government websites, newspapers, sample letters, forms, and educational materials. These sources were chosen because they represent the real use of formal language in both English and Uzbek. The study focuses on texts published between 2015 and 2025 and includes about 50 examples from each language to provide a balanced view. INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “INTEGRATION OF MODERN LINGUISTICS WITH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PRACTICE IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBALIZATION: NEW APPROACHES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES”, DECEMBER 4, 2025 240 Data analysis. The analysis examines gendered and gender-neutral words in these texts. Each example was carefully read and noted for: • How gendered and neutral words are used in sentences • How often these words appear (frequency) • Patterns and common expressions in formal communication This method allows us to compare how each language expresses gender neutrality in official-administrative style. Comparative approach. The study compares English and Uzbek examples to identify similarities and differences. This includes looking at how English uses specific neutral words like “chairperson” or singular “they,” while Uzbek uses naturally neutral words because of the lack of grammatical gender. Justification of the method. Descriptive and comparative methods were chosen because they show practical examples, allow clear analysis, and make comparison between the two languages easy. This approach provides both qualitative (example-based) and quantitative (frequency-based) insights into gender-neutral language in formal texts. Results and Discussion According to the research results, the study shows clear differences and similarities between English and Uzbek in using gender-neutral words in official-administrative texts. In English texts, gender-neutral words are actively used to replace older gendered forms. Examples include: “Chairperson” instead of “Chairman,” “they” instead of “he or she.” Morphologically, English shows significant changes: words are often modified or replaced to remove gender. For example, the suffix “-man” is removed or replaced, and pronouns are adapted for inclusivity. These changes are necessary because English marks gender in many nouns and pronouns. In Uzbek, most words are naturally neutral because the language does not have grammatical gender. Examples: “Rahbar” (leader) can refer to both men and women, “Xodim” (employee) is neutral, “Talaba” (student) does not change by gender. Morphologically, there are no changes needed in Uzbek. The words themselves are neutral, and pronouns like “u” are used for both genders. Only social conventions may influence some word choices, such as “hamshira” (nurse, usually female) or “haydovchi” (driver, often male). Comparing the two languages shows: English requires morphological adaptations to achieve gender neutrality, like changing suffixes or using new pronouns. Uzbek is mostly neutral by default, and no morphological changes are needed. Both languages are affected by social ideas: English sometimes still uses old gendered words, and Uzbek reflects cultural stereotypes. Conclusion This study compared how gender-neutral words are used in English and Uzbek officialadministrative texts. The results show that English actively changes words to remove gender, using terms like “chairperson,” “police officer,” and the singular “they.” These changes are necessary because English marks gender in many nouns and pronouns. In Uzbek, most words are naturally neutral, and pronouns like “u” can refer to both men and women. No morphological changes are needed. However, social ideas sometimes affect word choice, such as “hamshira” (nurse) or “haydovchi” (driver). Overall, the study shows that English relies on deliberate word changes, while Uzbek is neutral in its language structure. Both approaches help make official communication fairer and INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “INTEGRATION OF MODERN LINGUISTICS WITH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PRACTICE IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBALIZATION: NEW APPROACHES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES”, DECEMBER 4, 2025 241 more inclusive. The findings can help writers, students, and officials understand how to use gender-neutral language and make formal texts clearer and more respectful. REFERENCES 1. Lakoff, R. Language and Woman’s Place. - New York: Harper & Row, 1975. 2. Cameron D. Gender, Language and Discourse. - London: Routledge, 1998. 3. Holmes, J. 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