THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL NARRATIVES
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National Narratives, Nation-Building, Language, Migration, Political Elites, Identity Formation, Global South, Nationalism, Post-colonialism, Globalization##article.abstract##
Language plays a critical role in the construction of national narratives, acting as both a unifying force and a tool of exclusion within the nation-building process. As a vehicle for cultural expression and political ideology, language shapes national identity while being shaped by political elites. This paper explores the intersection of language and national narratives in the process of nation-building, with a focus on the global North and South. It examines how political elites use national identity and migration policies to either include or exclude groups from the national community. The case studies of post-apartheid South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia demonstrate how national narratives have been manipulated to sustain elite power, while the role of language in national resistance is explored through historical examples, such as Poland under Russian occupation. The paper concludes with a discussion on the impact of globalization on national identity and the challenges posed by a transnational "market of identities."
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