LINGUISTIC IDENTITY AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION: THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE IN IDENTITY FORMATION

This article explores the complex relationship between language and social identity, particularly within the context of education. Language plays a crucial role in the formation of national and social identities, with individuals often adapting their language use depending on the social group they are engaging with. In schools, the teaching of national languages as subjects and mediums of instruction not only facilitates academic learning but also reinforces national identity. However, this process can sometimes lead to the suppression of regional languages and social identities, as students are encouraged to adopt the national language both in written and spoken forms. The article further examines the role of bilingualism and multilingualism in education, highlighting how students can navigate between multiple identities through language use. By engaging with texts in the national language and participating in Language Studies (LS) classes, students develop a shared collective memory that contributes to their sense of belonging to the nation.