CHARACTERISTICS OF BILINGUALISM IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: REGIONAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS

Abstract

 Bilingualism in the English language has become a significant area of study due to its role as a global lingua franca and its interaction with regional languages. This paper explores the characteristics of English bilingualism, focusing on its manifestations in regional and global contexts. By reviewing sociolinguistic studies and case analyses, it highlights how English adapts to multilingual settings, leading to phenomena like code-switching, borrowing, and the emergence of localized varieties, known as World Englishes. The findings underline the benefits of bilingualism for communication and cultural exchange while addressing challenges such as linguistic inequality and the decline of minority languages.  This text also explores the impact of bilingualism on English language teaching in Uzbekistan, a linguistically diverse country where Uzbek and Russian dominate alongside regional languages. It highlights the cognitive advantages bilingual learners possess, such as enhanced linguistic awareness and easier acquisition of a third language, while also addressing challenges like linguistic interference and limited exposure to English. Teaching practices, including translation and code-switching, are adapted to the bilingual context but may hinder full immersion in English. The text also discusses government initiatives aimed at improving English education through teacher training and modern resources, emphasizing the potential of leveraging Uzbekistan’s multilingual heritage to strengthen English language proficiency.