Ethnical Identity and the Role of Language in Its Formation and Preservation

The article is devoted to the main conceptual approaches to ethnical identity. The issue of ethnical identity has figured prominently after the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of the 20th century as a result of socio – political processes. According to the definition, “ethnical identity” is a subset of identity categories in which membership is determined by attributes associated with, or believed to be associated with. At another level identity is almost synonymous with ethnicity.
Language is considered to be a marker of large social categories, such as the nation. It can constitute one’s identity or distinctiveness from others. Language also may be the ideal vehicle to express the unique character of a social group.
Some scholars assert, that language and ethnical identity are closely intertwined and are constantly under discussion.
We discuss the basic approaches to the concept “ethnical identity” in various disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, cultural studies and social philosophy, trying to show, that language is a constructor of ethnical identity and
plays an important role in formation and preservation of ethnical identity.