A LEXICOGRAPHIC STUDY OF MODAL WORDS IN THE UZBEK LANGUAGE

Abstract

 This paper examines the lexicographic representation of modal words in the Uzbek language from both microstructural and macrostructural perspectives. Modal units constitute an important component of linguistic expression because they convey the speaker’s attitude toward the content of an utterance, including certainty, doubt, agreement, and probability. However, the analysis of existing explanatory dictionaries reveals that modal words are often described briefly and their semantic, grammatical, and pragmatic properties are not fully reflected. The aim of this study is to investigate the representation of modal words in Uzbek explanatory dictionaries and to propose a systematic lexicographic model for their description. The research employs descriptive, comparative, and structural methods. The findings demonstrate that although modal words are included in explanatory dictionaries, their lexicographic treatment remains incomplete. The study proposes a micro- and macrostructural model for the systematic description of modal units. The proposed approach may contribute to improving Uzbek lexicography and creating specialized electronic dictionaries.