NEOLOGISMS DENOTING GROUPS OF PEOPLE FORMED UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive linguistic analysis of neologisms denoting groups of people that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic in English and Uzbek. The pandemic significantly transformed social life worldwide, leading to changes in communication practices, social behavior, and everyday experiences, which were promptly reflected in language. As a result, numerous neologisms appeared to describe new social groups, roles, and attitudes formed under pandemic conditions. The study examines the factors contributing to the emergence of these neologisms and analyzes their semantic, morphological, and pragmatic characteristics. Special attention is given to lexical units that reflect people’s attitudes toward quarantine measures, mask-wearing, vaccination, social distancing, and isolation, as well as their social status and behavioral patterns. The article also explores the influence of English pandemic-related neologisms on the Uzbek language, highlighting processes of borrowing and linguistic adaptation within a specific cultural context. The findings demonstrate the flexibility of language in responding to rapid social changes and its role in conceptualizing global crises.