, HOMO LOGUENS AND ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION PROCESSES // BSU bulletin. Philosophy. - 2019. №2. . - С. 12-19.

HOMO LOGUENS AND ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION PROCESSES

DOI: 10.18101/1994-0866-2019-2-12-19 UDK: 130.12

The article analyzes functions and possibilities of language in the processes of social identi- fication of an individual. Language as a marker of socio-cultural behavior is involved in defini- tion of an ethnic in-group. This function of language is actualized in a multicultural social envi- ronment. A foreign-language environment determines the special significance of ethnoconsoli- dating function of the language. Linguistic and cultural contacts in a multi-ethnic region are simultaneously a form of dialogue of cultures; “social mirror” providing the identification of specific features of the culture of native ethnic group; means of interaction, which allows for the reflexive projecting of culture's sameness; ethnoconsolidating factor; condition for the devel- opment of cross-cultural competence. The interaction of languages in a common territory is a manifestation of the disposition “native language — another language”, which forms auto- stereotypes and contributes to the awareness of hetero-stereotypes of the ethnic group. These findings are based on the results of our research aimed at establishing the criteria for determin- ing the native language of respondents living in Irkutsk Oblast (2011–2018). Despite the objec- tive spread of the instrumentalist approach in philosophy of language, the philosophical and culturological approach that considers language as a unity of emotional-value, sensory- receptive, discursive, value and moral components of the ordinary consciousness of a native speaker has no less significance in modern conditions. The priority of a philosophical under- standing of language attributes to ethnicity a value of communicative resource that determines not only verbal, but also social behavior. Language is the dominant factor in the system of eth- nic identification of an individual.

language; linguistic persona; language contacts; communicative behavior; ethnic identification; social interaction.