Ethnolinguistics as an Interdisciplinary Field

Contemporary ethnolinguistics increasingly interprets language as an essential component of cultural practice; however, existing studies often examine its links with ethnology, ethnoculture, folklore studies, and ethnopedagogy separately. As a result, the interdisciplinary framework through which language, culture, and identity interact remains insufficiently systematized. This study aimed to identify and analyze the principal interdisciplinary connections of ethnolinguistics, with particular attention to Kyrgyz linguistic and cultural material. The research employed a qualitative interdisciplinary design based on the analysis of scholarly literature, lexicographical sources, folklore materials, and cultural texts. The methodology combined logical-semantic clarification of key concepts, comparative analysis of ethnolinguistic approaches, and content analysis of Kyrgyz folklore, proverbs, speech etiquette, and The Epic of Manas. The findings show that ethnolinguistics functions as an integrative field in which language serves simultaneously as a cultural archive, a marker of ethnocultural identity, and a mechanism for transmitting collective values. Its connection with ethnology enables the reconstruction of traditional worldviews through vocabulary, rituals, and mythology; its synthesis with ethnoculture reveals how language encodes material and spiritual values; and its interaction with ethnopedagogy demonstrates the role of linguistic forms in preserving educational ideals and behavioral norms. The study also highlights the significance of Kyrgyzstan’s ethnolinguistic heritage, particularly the Epic of Manas, for understanding Central Asian cultural identity. The practical significance of the research lies in its potential application to cultural education, heritage preservation, tourism promotion, and the development of national branding strategies based on culturally recognizable symbols.