Representation of National Mentality in Shukur Kholmirzaev’s Short Story “O‘zbek xarakteri”

Abstract

This article examines the representation of national mentality in Shukur Kholmirzaev’s short story “O‘zbek xarakteri” from a linguocultural perspective. The study aims to identify the linguistic and discursive mechanisms through which Uzbek national mentality is verbalized in literary discourse. Relying on the theoretical foundations of linguoculturology, concept theory, and discourse analysis, the research explores culturally marked lexical units, phraseological expressions, evaluative vocabulary, and pragmatic strategies embedded in the narrative structure of the story. The analysis reveals that core components of Uzbek national mentality – such as simplicity, honor, collectivism, diligence, and moral restraint – are represented through a system of interconnected conceptual and linguistic markers. The study demonstrates that national mentality in the story is constructed not through explicit ideological statements, but through subtle narrative strategies, dialogic restraint, implicit evaluation, and culturally coded speech behavior. The findings contribute to the development of linguocultural approaches to literary text analysis and expand theoretical understanding of how national identity and worldview are embedded in artistic discourse.