INCONSISTENCIES IN THE KATAKANA TRANSCRIPTION OF UZBEK PROPER NOUNS: A PHONOLOGICAL AND ORTHOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

This paper explores the inconsistencies found in the Katakana transcription of Uzbek proper nouns and place names. Despite the increasing interaction between Japanese and Uzbek languages, no unified system has been developed for representing Uzbek terms in Katakana. By analyzing transcriptions from historical and modern sources, the study reveals irregularities caused by a lack of phonetic alignment, diverse transcription practices, and the influence of Arabic and Cyrillic scripts. The paper highlights the phonological mismatches between Uzbek and Japanese and calls for a collaborative effort to establish a standard transcription system for improved accuracy and consistency in cross-linguistic communication.