Language and Social Identity among Iraqi University Students
Abstract
This study looks at how language affects the social identity of Iraqi university students, with a focus on English as a way to express oneself and change oneself. Using social identity theory and Bourdieu's idea of linguistic capital, the study looks at 50 student essays that answer the question "How speaking English changes the way I see myself." The study uses qualitative discourse analysis to find common themes such changing identities, empowerment vs. anxiety, the symbolic meanings of English, code-switching, and cultural conflict. The results show that English is more than just a way to talk to others; it also represents modernity, ambition, and belonging to the world. Students often connect English with personal progress and future goals, while simultaneously dealing with the conflicts between global identities and local customs. The study shows how complicated and frequently mixed identity building is in multilingual environments. It also argues for teaching methods that respect students' language differences and how they see themselves.
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