Volume 17| February 2023 ISSN: 2795-739X

Comparative-typological analysis of
linguistic and cultural
characteristics of
Uzbek and English children's folk
games

Feruza Eshkobilova Lecturer of the Department of Linguistics,

Karshi State University, Uzbekistan
Folk games have been developed during the years and it reflects the dreams, wishes,
fights, victories, labor, customs and lifestyle of the people. The folk games and game songs
ABSTRACT

based on real life events, social life and particular type of writing. The most important
thing that they are created orally and are sung orally. There are different and similar
linguistic and cultural features of games and game songs in both languages. Language can
develop only in the social life with relationship of the culture of the society and it reflects
in the language of the nations. Language is a part of culture and culture has different
features. Nowadays it is vital to learn the folklore or childlore games with its origin,
linguistic and cultural characteristics.
Keywords: Language, culture, linguoculture, typology, folklore, game

Introduction compared in different field as the component of

Language typology’s field is studying the cultural history and culture itself as people’s
differences and similarities of the language achievement and development. Typological
features like grammar, structure, lexicology and investigations can be done in the field of
classification of the languages. Typological separate systems and subsystems of the
linguistics is one of the important spheres of the languages. Uzbek and English languages are
linguistics. This can compare linguistic features different not only from language family, but also
of the language. In the comparative typology the different culture, lifestyle, mentality as they
different languages: native and foreign language are located east and west sides. English
concepts, cultural features, linguistic items are language belongs to Indo-European languages
compared. D. Yunusov mentioned “Comparative and Uzbek language belongs to Altaic language
typology as a branch of linguistics is based on family as we compare their origin. As comparing
theoretical language course. It is closely two languages and their culture, linguistic
connected with other branch of linguistics. Such translation can help to study more effectively.
as: the history of language, general linguistics, Both types of linguistic translation: literary and
practical grammar, theoretical grammar, the informative translation can be used in
structure of the native language and etc.” [6]. comparing languages. The branch of translation
Comparative typology includes the history of connected with the linguistics. While translating
the language, general linguistics, practical from one language into another language, it
linguistics, practical and theoretical grammar demands to be exact with its origin; language
and the structure of the native language. The details, their variants and coloring should be
development of the language can be seen the reflected correctly, but not distorting the
history of language. The languages can be language norms. Word order and syntactic

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meaning of the words can be different when expressed as “bir piyola choy ustida”. In
translating and comparing languages. linguaculturology, it is demanded to investigate
Languages are not separated thing; they the cultural picture of the world including all
develop in the cultures and cultures are humankind and their distinctive features in the
different from others. There is not the same language, observing cultural ntions, concepts,
lexical equivalence in the vocabularies of the types of the culture, cultural-traditional
languages. The translation of rhymes, songs has dominants. Linguaculturology reveals the
its own difficulties rather than simple text. difference of cultural picture of the world from
In the study of the comparing languages and universal picture of the world in the linguistic
cultures typologically, the major aim is to field.
research English and Uzbek folk games in the
linguacultural sphere. The basic concept of the The Main Results And Findings
language and cultural studies is Folk games are traditional games among
linguocultureme. Linguocultureme can be children and young people. The most
defined by different forms as words, word characteristic feature is to play these games
combinations, phraseological units, stylistic without any special preparations and expensive
devices, syntactical structures, text and etc. materials. Folk games are usually passing orally
Linguoculturology is a new branch of science, through the generations. They develop
which researches different nations cultures and children’s social relationships with their friends,
their reflection in the language. It is derived make them healthy, clever and wit. These games
from the two main fields of sociolinguistics and are usually known as street games, active
culturology. Language can develop only in the games, as they are played outdoors. While
social life with relationship of the culture of the playing together, children learn to play in a
society and it reflects in the language of the group, to obey and follow rules, to know how
nations. Language is a part of culture and better to play in order to win or to lose. The tools
culture has different features. Despite of the are very simple, just a ball, a rope, a chalk, sticks
location, there is always connection among and a few pebbles or stones. Folk games are
nations through business, trading, travelling created and maintained by children year by
and nowadays through modern technologies as year. The yards of the house, sidewalks, parks,
smartphones, computers. On the other hand, playgrounds are the best place for them to play.
there are different cultures in one nation who Some games are seasonal: playing snowball,
live in different regions of the country. Culture making snowman are played in winter, most
integrate with the human behavior as thoughts, games are played in warm seasons like hide-
beliefs, communications, languages, customs, and-seek, jump a rope, ball games and etc. Folk
rituals and relationships of racial, ethnic, games are famous throughout the world with
religious and social groups. Language performs variations and simple change. The words of the
the task of sharing culture through generations game can be different but the structure is the
and nations. The cultural concept is considered same. But some games belong to only one nation
as a subject of research of linguaculturology. As according to their customs, traditions, living
Yu. S. Stepanov mentioned concept is a part of area and their mentality. A lot of research works
the culture in the mind of a human being and have done by linguists, folklorists, culture
with this, he includes the culture into the mental learners, such as Iona Opie, Simon. J. Bronner
world of a human being [8]. The word of the and Uzbek folklore researchers O. Safarov, M.
phraseological unit “qo’l uchida kun ko’rmoq” Jumaboyev. Uzbek linguist and folklorist O.
with the meaning “live from hand to mouth”, be Safarov mentioned: “Children play the games
extremely poor. “Qo’l uchida” means “very little” imitating grown-up’s lifestyle. Obeying the
and “kun ko’rmoq” has a meaning “to earn game rules encourages the sense of the right and
money or things for a living”. Additionally, responsibility. Children can imagine their role in
“green tea” has the meaning of “being a guest the society.” [1]
and chat together” in Uzbek language and this is

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Uzbek games can be played in the outdoors • Games played with materials
and as well as indoors, so some games are • Games conducted with words
played mentally among the children in spite of 2. Games with words have also smaller types
the bad weather outside, or these games with like:
words can improve their mental ability and • Tounge twister
their memory like find out puzzles and • Puzzle with rhymes
repeating tongue twisters in one breathe. Uzbek Before beginning the game there are some
linguist and folklore researcher O. Safarov rhymes called “chorlamalar”- inviting or calling
learned Uzbek children’s game thoroughly. In for the game, “cheklashmachoqlar” – game with
his book he divided games mainly into two a dialogue, usually groups divided in two
groups: the games with actions and the games groups, “sanamalar” – games played with words
with words. These games also can be divided like numbers: one, two, three…etc. Inviting or
into small groups: calling others into games are usually played
1. The games with actions orally before beginning the game like:
• Pure action games
Uzbek Translation in English
Tomda tovuq yotarmi, Is there a chicken on the roof?
Oyoqlari qotarmi, Are the legs stiff?
Kichkina bachalar, Little guys
Nomozshomda yotarmi? Does it lie in prayer time?
Kel-ho, Come on -hey,
Kel-ho. Come on – hey.
Keragida paxta bor, There is cotton if you need,
Uyqing kelsa yotavor. Go to bed when you feel sleepy.
Onang qurg’ur qo’ymaydimi? Does your mother not let you?
Mushtday qorning o’ymaydimi? Doesn’t she pinch your fistful belly?
Kel-ho. Come on-hey.

These words chicken, prayer time, cotton, pinch, they continue the punishment would be severe.
fistful belly can be named linguoculture words, Other word fistful belly means little belly, if the
as these words mainly refer to this nation, its person eats few things, they can fell full, they
customs and traditions. A chicken is a famous don’t need other things to eat. This word may be
poultry, almost every family keep chicken and come from historical times, some time – during
hens in their house who live in the yard house. the war time, little belly promoted as a good
The word prayer time is common time for Uzbek thing, as a good dinner behavior – the people
people, because of their religion the people pray should eat less. Every game rhyme comes from
five time a day and prayer time is one of the one nations life custom, as they remain in the
times that people should pray this time. It is not children’s folklore, new forms have developed
possible to lie at this time because people during the years.
should do religious duties at that time. The word In English language folk culture of the
cotton belongs to this nations culture, as many children can be called “childlore” or “folklore”.
years people grow cotton and this word Childlore includes rhymes and games which is
remained in the children’s folklore. The next played in the yards, playgrounds. The
word pinch belongs to mainly mothers, it is researchers Iona and Opie are learned the
considered little punishment to the child, if they childlore thoroughly. The children’s traditional
don’t obey their mothers. They don’t hit folklore includes games, riddles, pranks,
children first time, they do “pinch” as warning superstitions, lyrics, nicknames, parody,
the child not to continue his/her behavior, if seasonal customs, wit, songs and etc. Many

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folklorists learn childlore among the children Rhymes in 1970 including traditional English
who go to the school and kindergartens. Iona nursery rhymes, songs and game songs. Since
and Opie learned children folklore and found then this term is used for children’s nursery
out that they are different from each other and rhymes and songs. Nursery rhymes and songs
are developed during the years. One famous improve social and emotional skills, help to
game also known as “Johnny -on-a- Ponny” with learn to make new friends and communicate
several variants and appeared in the early 16th with them. They follow rules and instructions, it
century. In this game players climbing on the makes to be ready to the social life and
backs of a second group in order to build as interaction with their peers.
large a pile as possible and required to collapse Folk games can be played without any tools
the supporting players. Iona and Opie studied or things, they are called pure action games like
childhood culture of the present and past, in hide-and-seek, chasing, hand clapping and etc.
Britain. The main works of this topis are Oxford Some games are played with balls, toys, pebbles,
Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes (1951), The Lore sticks and ropes. They are usual things which
and Language of schoolchildren (1959), they can find from their house and also can buy
Children’s Games in Street and Playground an expensive one. Traditionally these things can
(1969), The Classic Fairy Tales (1974), and The be found in the house. Games which conducted
People in the Playground (1994). They made a with words are so common among children like
national survey among children from 8 to 14 Red Rover – Oq terakmi, ko’k terak; Red Rover
years, wrote many kinds of games, rhymes, is a very active group game. Red Rover – a
songs, word play, sayings, jokes and game children’s game in which two teams, some
terminology. The Opies mentioned that the distance apart, face each other and take turns
children are thought to be incapable of self- designating an opposing player to run toward
organization and adults should provide play their line. Any player who fails to break through
materials, ideas and time to play with them. their clasped hands becomes a member of that
Nowadays the parents also look after their team [5]. It requires no materials, but does
children, making organized classes, extra work better with a larger group. Red Rover is
lessons, sport activities in order to avoid them believed to have originated in Great Britain and
using too much internet, computer games and spread to Russia, United States with every
watching television. The Opies pointed out that country create its own tweaks to the game. It
the parents should spend time with their may be derived from a steamboat that would
children and make special places to play with ferry people back and forth across the Hatchie
other children. Thomas Carnan was the first river and there is other idea that the chant was
person published “Mother Goose’s Melody”, it used by English children as a way to taunt early
was the collection of the Mother Goose’s Viking invaders.
Oq terakmi, ko’k terak Uzbek version Translation
Ola – bula kapalak, A piebald butterfly,
Orqa sochim jamalak. My back hair is curly.
Oq terakmi, ko’k terak, White poplar, black poplar,
Bizdan sizga kim kerak? Who do you need from us?
-Xayri qizaloq kerak. We need a little girl Xayri.
Tarjimasi Red Rover English version
Red Rover, Red Rover (o’ynayotganni Red Rover, Red Rover, send (player’s name)
ismi)..niboshqa tomonga jo’nat on over!

Red Rover game in Uzbek children’s folklore is are different. There are a lot of rhyme versions
called “Oq terakmi, ko’k terak”. The rules of the in Uzbek and main repeated words are white or
game are the same, but the words of the game blue poplar, because the poplar tree was so

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common in Uzbek house, every people grew Tuxum qo’ydi.
poplar in order to make a roof to their house, Soni nechta?
window frames, wooden doors and other tools Beshta.
which is used in the house. Bir, ikki, uch, to’rt, besh
Hand clapping games are considered action Ketdi.
games, the children need only their hands. It is Translation into English:
played fast with rhythm and rhyme. Clapping Stork comes,
types are different in different styles of games. Lays an egg.
This game is played around the world, but every How many are there?
nation has its own rhymes. In English language Five.
there are several hand clapping games and in One, two, three, four, five.
Uzbek language also has the same game among Go away.
young children. This game requires speed of the Players put their palms on partner’s palm,
clapping, wit and enthusiasm. The rhymes of saying the rhyme and clapping one by one. The
this game are usually simple and easy: In last clapping one will be the winner. The word
English “laylak - stork” is a summer bird which comes in
Double, double this this the spring, so this word comes from the life of
Double, double that that Uzbek people.
Double this Almost every culture in the world has its own
Double that forms and versions of game rhymes. The themes
Double, double this that. of the rhymes and instructions of the games can
Instructions: Both players: Make fists with your be different and some of them has the same
hands and touch your partner's knuckles, similar types of the rhymes with a few stylistic
this: Clap palms with your partner, that: Clap differences. Here folk games of two nations are
the backs of your hands with your partner. given in a table to reveal the difference and
In Uzbek version: “sanama” similarity of the game types, game lyrics and
Laylak keldi, forms of the games:

№ Uzbek folk games English folk games versions Comments

or Uzbek games’ translations
I. O’yin boshlashdan oldin Before playing the game
1 Chorlama Inviting the game rhyme Before the game
Chumchuqcha chirillaydi, Girls and boys, come out to children called and
Qanoti pirillaydi. play, invited for the game
Sidiqaxon uydan chiqsa. The moon doth shine as bright saying calling rhymes
Otasi g’urullaydi. as day; based on their
Leave your supper, leave your lifestyle, household
sleep, words.
And come with your
playfellows into the street.
2 Cheklashmachoq Prohibit from smth during the The words:
Onaboshi, onaboshi, game- to divide into two onaboshi-
Yigitlarning qalam qoshi, groups, rules. Rhymes usually (headmother) head,
Nima yeysan, ne olasan? are said as a dialogue controller of the
Atalami, palov oshi. game, Qalam qosh-
beautiful eyebrow
like drawn with
pencil, atala, palov-
national dishes

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3 Sanamalar: chichi-chichi, o’nCounting rhymes with Counting rhymes are
odim, dog’-dog’, tosh kimda, numbers for finding out who so simple in both
attum-battum, Naziraxon
will chase, who will seek in languages, used
Nazira, Atala-patala, Igna- the game simple sentence
igna One, two, buckle my shoe; structure as subject,
Bir, ikki, o’n, o’n ikki, Three, four, shut the door; verb. The main
O’n ikki deb kim aytdi? Five, six, pick up sticks; words are numbers.
O’n ikki deb men aytdim. Seven, eight, lay them straight;
Ishonmasang sanab boq. Nine, ten, a good fat hen.
II. Harakatli o’yinlar Pure active games
Bekinmachoq, qidirib top Hide and seek
Quvlashmachoq: Urib
Chasing, Tag games: The instructions and
qochish, chap berish, gir Duck, duck, Goose, stuck in the rules are different
aylanish, Qopqon, Echki mood, Fox and sheep, but the main thing is
bolalari Captain, captain, Join hands, running and chasing
Dog catcher. each other.
Jo’ravoy-jo’ppi Chasing game
Tarqalmachoq Spreading games
Kim kuchli? Who is strong? (chasing game)
Darvoza-darvoza Gate-gate -London bridge
Bo’sh o’rin Empty place
Chertki Flick
Qo’riqchi Guard
Tapir-tupur qaldirg’och Pitter-patter swallow
Quloq-chakka Ear-temple
Xo’roz-xo’roz Rooster-rooster
Yelkada kurashish, ot ustida Fight on the shoulder
kurashish
Bo’ron Storm
Ona tovuq va hakka Mother hen and magpie
Topag’on Finder
Quyon inga kirolmadi Rabbit can’t enter the lair
Karnaymi-surnay Is it karnay or surnay?
Qarsak Clap
Jon berdik Giving life
Cho’nqa shuvoq Grasping grass
Eshak mindi, eshak mingash Buck buck; Johnny-on-a Pony
III. So’zli harakatli o’yinlar Games are played with words The main important
thing of these games
to tell the rhyme and
play at the same time.
Oq terakmi, ko’k terak Is it white poplar or blue
poplar? - Red Rover
Oq terakmi, ko’k terak? Is it white poplar, blue poplar?
Bizdan sizga kim kerak? Who do you need from us? We
Sayrab turgan dil kerak, need singing soul, Which of the
Dillarning qaysi biri, soul, Gulandom is sharp (best,
Gulandomdir o’tkiri. strong)
Quyonim-quyonim My rabbit-my rabbit

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Quyonim, quyonim, My rabbit, my rabbit,
Nega buncha yig’laysan, Why are you crying so much?
O’rningdan tur-chi, yuz Stand up, Wash your face,
qo’lingni yuv-chi, Look at the mirror, Comb your
Oynaga qara-chi, sochingni hair, Come to our row, Choose
tara-chi, anyone you like.
Safimizga kelaqol,
Xoxlaganing tanlab ol.

Bo’rivoy va g’ozlar Wolf and gooses

Olmacha do’m-do’m Apple
Oq sholi, ko’k sholi White rice, blue rice
Boy xotin Rich woman
Sandiqcha-yu quticha Strongbox and box
Otilgan do’ppini kim olib Who brings thrown ball?
keladi
Qiz olib qochish Get away with girl
Shoqolim-shoqolim My jackal-my jackal
Mushuk-sichqon Cat and mouse
Opa-opa, anjir Sister-sister, fig
Oltin darvoza Golden gate
Kim chopag’on, kim o’zar Who is faster?
Jigar-jigar Liver-liver
Shaftoli shakar Peach-sugar
Sakra-sakra Jump-jump
Ko’z boylag’ich Tie the eyes
Qo’rqmaysanmi? Aren’t you afraid?
Tuta-tut Catch and catch
Nuqta-vergul Dot, comma
Do’konchi Salesman
To’y-to’y Wedding-wedding
Ot Horse
Uy-uy House-house
Non yopish Baking bread
IV. Predmetli o’yinlar Games are played with These games are
materials played with simple
materials.
Chertmoq, jirttak(mak- Hopscotch Chalk, pebbles
mak)
Arqon talashish Grabbing a rope A rope
Darra Rope Rope, scarf
Lanka Hacky sack A piece of dried skin
of the animal
Chillik Tip cat game One long, one short
sticks
Juftmi-toq, danak yashirish Couple or alone; hiding the seeds
seed

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Chavandoz - kichik uloq Horse rider A piece of dried
(o’g’il bolalar) animal skin or little
pillow
Besh tosh Five pebbles Five pebbles
To’ptosh Ballpebble, ball stone
Qirq tosh Forty pebbles Forty pebbles
Podsho va vazir King and vizier paper
Bozor-bozor Market-market Different things to
sell
Nuqtani top Find the dot stick
Qo’g’irchoq Playing with dolls Homemade sewn
dolls
Hango’z Hango’z Wooden ankle
Kalpo’shto’ppi Kalpo’shto’ppi - Sewn ball Material ball
game
V. Faslga oid o’yinlar Seasonal games
Chana uchish Sledging Winter game
Yaxmalak uchish Gliding over the ice Winter game
Olma menda I have an apple (water game) Boys should touch
the head of the boy
who has an apple,
their head stands like
an apple in the water.
The word Apple is
used, it is planted
very often and is
considered a usual
fruit in the summer.
Suvga cho’mganni ushlash Catching diving boy (water Summer game is
game) played in the river,
lakes.
Varrak uchirish Flying a kite Common spring
game
Qorbobo Making a snowman This game is
universal game,
children play in the
winter if there is
snow in their place.
VI. So’zli o’yinlar Games with words only
Guldur-gup Saying nothing to others This game is played
Mushuk o’ldi, Dumi qoldi. Cat is dead, tail is left. If smb among children
Kim gapirsa, Uni yeydi. says, they will eat. when they want to be
a secret, they
shouldn’t tell anyone
about something
Chandishlar Tricking with rhythm, rhyme. The words: piyoz, yoz
Mana bu nima? “Simon says” has similar rhyme.
Piyoz.
Onangga xat yoz.

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Tez aytish Tongue twister The word “tut”-
Bir tup tut, I scream, you scream, we all mulberry tree is
Tutning tagida, scream for ice cream. // planted to make
Bir tup tut. // She sells seashells by the shadow. It can be
Qo’ng’roq qo’g’irchoqnikimi, seashore. seen in children’s
qo’zichoqnikimi? folklore.
Kim birinchi topadi? Who finds the first?
Davom et Continuing the poem Saying the poem one
by one without
stopping, if someone
stops telling the
rhyme by heart, they
will lose the game.
Qiziq aytishmalar Interesting rhymes as a The children say
dialogue rhyme one by one on
interesting topics.

The language and culture of these games and strong, healthy, wit, smart and sociable. If the
game songs are different according to their children play folk games, they feel happiness,
place where they are appeared, their religion, joy and friendship.
customs, traditions and their daily life. Some of
the games have the same rules and structures Reference
but they have different rhymes and words as 1. Oxunjon Safarov. O'zbek xalq bolalar
Red Rover – Oq terakmi , ko’k terak, Buck buck- o’yinlari. - T.: Sharq, 2013.-176b
Eshak mindi, Hacky-sack- Lanka. Some games 2. O. Safarov. Bolalar erkalovchi o’zbek xalq
are chasing, tag games and they have so many qo’shiqlari. - Toshkent.: “Fan”, - 1983.
types and names in both languages as Urib 3. Iona Archibald Opie, Peter Opie.
qochish, Jo’ravoy-jo’ppi, echki bolalari; Duck, Children’s games in street and
duck, Goose, stuck in the mood, Fox and sheep. playground: Chasing, catching, seeking,
Origin of the games belong to seasons, animal hunting, racing, duelling, exerting daring,
and plant types from their location, festivals of guessing, acting, pretending. Oxford
this nation as Olma menda; Gliding over the ice, university press,1984 – Family and
making a snowman. Some words and rhymes relationships- 371 pages.
cannot be translated as original, there is no clear 4. Iona Archibald Opie, Peter Opie. The Lore
equivalent as Hango’z (wooden ankle), and Language of Schoolchildren, Oxford
Kalpo’shto’ppi (sewn ball game), Cho’nqa shuvoq university press, 1959.
(meaning like: messy grass) and Buck buck, Pat- 5. Collins. Dictionary. Com
a-cake, Hambone. Some games have the same 6. Dunyamin Yunusov, Leyla
rules and translations: Mushuk-sichqon, Cat and Khanbutayeva. Comparative typology of
mouse; uy-uy, house-house; Qo’g’irchoq- Playing the English and Azarbaijani languages. –
with dolls. The types of the games in English are: Baku.: “Mutarjim”, 2008.-222p
Tag games, hiding games, games with 7. M. I. Rasulova, Z. I. Shukurova.
equipment, jumping games, memory games, Comparative typology of Uzbek, Engliah
hand games and traditional games: Follow the and Russian languages. – Tashkent,
leader, Monkey in the middle, London bridge, 2017. - 260p
Simon says, Tip-cat, Wrestling and etc. Folk 8. Yu. S. Stepanov, 1997, 40-76s
games are pure children’s games, created and
played by children. They make young people be

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9. K. Rahimqulov. Milliy harakatli o’yinlar. –
Toshkent.: “Tafakkur bo’stoni”, 2012.-
144b
10. T. Usmonxo’jayev, F. Xo’jayev. 1001
o’yin. -Toshkent.: 1990 – 343b

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