Abstract
<p>The relationship between language and identity is widely discussed in applied linguistics, sociology, communications and other related scholarly fields. Furthermore, many researchers have focused on the post-Soviet region, which given its unique historical context allows for testing of this relationship. The widespread bilingualism as a result of historical russification and the linguistic transformations that occurred after the collapse of the Soviet Union make the region a ‘sociolinguistic playground’. Recent events in Ukraine have given grounds to further explore this relationship, now in attempt to link language and identity as potential forces for geopolitical change in the region. This paper presents an overview of existing research, theories, and opposing perspectives related to the relationship between language and identity, and considers complications such as historical russification, religious influence, socioeconomic factors, and education with regards to the Ukrainian and post-Soviet context. I aim to illustrate the significance of language and its effects on socio-political change in the case of Ukraine, by presenting arguments and complications in support of the relationship between language and identity.</p>
Highlights
The relationship between language and identity is one that is thoroughly discussed in applied linguistics, sociology, communications and other related scholarly fields
Her study is an illuminating piece in support of my argument that the relationship understanding the relationship between language and identity may illustrate the significance of language through effects on political and social change, as Zbyr presents in the case of Ukraine
As David Block presents in “Issues in Language and Identity Research in Applied Linguistics,” there are many potential issues that arise when addressing identity as part of applied linguistics research. He writes, “most work on language and identity inspired in poststructuralism adopts a social constructivist perspective according to which identity is about the multiple ways in which people position themselves and are positioned, that is, the different subjectivities and subject positions they inhabit or have ascribed to them, within particular social, historical and cultural contexts” (18)
Summary
The relationship between language and identity is one that is thoroughly discussed in applied linguistics, sociology, communications and other related scholarly fields. This essay, aims to further explore the relationship between language and identity, discuss issues faced in linguistic research, present other cases in support of this relationship, and apply them to the events in Ukraine. I believe understanding the relationship between language and identity may illustrate the significance of language and its effects on political and social change.
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