Semiotic Practices in the Construction of Legal Meaning: Between Language, Symbols, and Power
摘要
This study examines semiotic practices in the construction of legal meaning through the analysis of how language, symbols, and power interact in Uzbekistan's legal system. Drawing on semiotic theory and socio-legal scholarship, this research investigates how legal meanings are created, transmitted, and contested through the dynamic interaction of linguistic practices, symbolic representations, and power relations in post-Soviet Uzbekistan. Using qualitative content analysis of legal texts, media representations, educational materials, and institutional discourse, the study explores how semiotic practices construct legal understanding through various communicative channels. The research reveals that legal meaning construction in Uzbekistan operates as a complex semiotic system where traditional Central Asian linguistic and symbolic practices intersect with modern state discourse, creating hybrid forms of legal interpretation. Key findings indicate that the interaction between language, symbols, and power significantly influences public legal understanding and attitudes toward legal institutions. The study demonstrates how state authorities employ specific semiotic strategies to promote legal culture, particularly among youth, through the integration of national values with legal discourse. This research contributes to the growing literature on legal semiotics by providing empirical insights into how semiotic practices construct legal meaning through the dynamic interaction of language, symbols, and power in transitional societies. The findings have implications for understanding legal culture formation in other post-Soviet contexts and inform policy discussions on legal education and civic engagement.