Language and Identity: How Bilingualism Shapes Social Perception

Abstract

This study explores the complex relationship between bilingualism and social perception, focusing on how language use shapes personal and social identities. The research investigates how bilingual individuals navigate their identities across different linguistic contexts and how their language choices influence their interactions with others. Drawing on sociolinguistic theories of identity and symbolic interactionism, the study examines both self-perception and the perceptions of bilingual speakers by monolinguals, with particular emphasis on stereotypes, social inclusion, and exclusion.Using a mixed-methods approach, the research collects qualitative data through in-depth interviews and focus groups with bilingual individuals, alongside a survey of monolingual observers. The findings reveal that bilingual individuals often adjust their language use based on social settings, with code-switching acting as a key marker of identity. Additionally, bilinguals report experiences of both empowerment and marginalization, depending on the societal attitudes toward their languages. Monolingual participants, in turn, exhibit varying levels of acceptance or prejudice toward bilingual speakers, influenced by language ideologies and cultural biases.This study contributes to the understanding of how bilingualism functions as both a social asset and a source of division, shedding light on the broader implications for educational practices, multicultural policies, and social integration. The research highlights the need for greater awareness of the ways in which language shapes social dynamics and encourages more inclusive attitudes toward linguistic diversity.