LANGUAGE AS AN INSTRUMENT OF NATION FORMATION

Abstract. This article is dedicated to the analysis of the language as the primary means of developing national identity. Elements of the impact of language on the cultural, historical, and social values of the formation of the national identity are described. The cases of language policy and its impacts on the nations’ identity are considered with references to the examples of world practice.

Keywords: Language, identity, culture, language policy, and national consciousness.

Introduction

National identity is a culture, history, and other social signs that create a unification of members of a nation. The main national component of this important identity is language as a component that is not only an instrument of intercultural communication but also a way to reflect a certain perspective related to a particular culture. Language connects people, sets the basis of their culture, enables passing from generation to generation the essential traits of the people and helps to enhance national identity.

An appropriately evolved language becomes even more significant in the context of globalization as vehicle of national identity. The change or loss of the status of the language affects the spiritual bonds and ubuntu and national identity.  , this paper will present a discussion on how language supports the creation of national identity and review various cases of effective language policy.

Language as one the components of National Identity

Language of course is a tool of communication but at the same time language can be a crucial factor that defines the perception of collective identity of the nation. Language passes cultural and historical assets, which undertake the concept of belonging to some nation.

1.1. Language and Culture

Culture and language are inextricably linked: language is a system that transmits culture and ethnic practices. For instance cross-cultural concepts may contain idiomatic connotations that cannot be translated a number of languages. That is especially important for national holidays which are myths and folklore speech which is use for passing the traditions to the next generations.

1.2. Language and History

The history of a people is always reflected in its language. For example, features of lexical loans can point to certain stages of cultural and / or economic contacts, colonization, migration. Therefore language is used as a record of the historic past by putting into use the social memory of a nation.

Language Policy and its effect on nation identity; language policy and practices.

As the following discussion will show, state language policy is an important factor in the creation of national identity in many countries of the world. It is intended to promote and develop the national language, which is an integral part of social and cultural identities of all the liberated nations.

2.1. The example of France

The chief language in France is also official and is considered the foundation of the nationality’s identification. The French Academy of Languages ​​fiercelyguard against the invasion of foreignisms into the language, regarding it as a loose threat to language tradition.

The globalization and the questions for the national languages

Analyzing globalization impacts, one has to state that there are several threats to national languages, including the following: use of English, migration and increasing tendency towards bilingualism. While viewing various advantages of globalization, such as freedom to access information of global nature, it reduces the value of the national languages, which may be problematic if the population of a country is few in number.

3.1. Language loss

According to UNESCO, one language fades out every 2 weeks. This results to negative consequences such as; eradication of cultural diversity and asing of national culture.

3.2. The need for language policy

Analyzing how to protect and develop national languages, it is necessary to note that active state actions in question and in defense of these languages are significant. For example, the introduction of national languages into educational programmes as well as media can increase their status many times.

Conclusion. Language serves as an important component for the nation and has a connection between the history, culture and tradition of the nation. In the perspective of globalization it is crucial to enhance and stabilize the national language to avoid loss of language and cultural diversity, as well as to strengthen the culture of the nation. Thus, state language policy can become an important tool for attaining such a goal.