How Language Shapes Identity in Multicultural Societies

Have you ever felt like you are “too much” of one culture to then fit into another one, but not enough also to belong to either one? If you speak more than one language, you might know exactly what I am talking about.

In multicultural societies, being bilingual is more than just an ability to switch between words, which is still cool in itself. It is more about switching between worlds. Language can shape how we see ourselves. It can also shape how others see us and how we belong. It can be beautiful or consuming, sometimes both.

WHen you speak two languages, you often live in two cultural realities at once. One might be the language of your home, memories, and your family. The other might be the language at your school or government. This feeling and privilege can be empowering and can connect you with more people. But it can also feel like you have to “choose” who to be in different settings.

Take the Latinx community in the United States. Many Latinx teens grow up speaking Spanish at home and English at school. But that doesn’t always feel balanced. Some are told their Spanish isn’t “good enough,” while others are told they’re “too Mexican” or “too Dominican” just because they speak Spanish.

So where do they fit?

For many, being bilingual becomes a unique identity of its own. Spanglish, a mix of Spanish and English, is one way Latinx people have created a space where they can be fully themselves, without picking sides. 

Now let’s look at a completely different example: the Basque people in northern Spain. The Basque language, called Euskara, is unlike any other language in Europe. For centuries, it was suppressed by the Spanish government, especially during the Franco dictatorship.

Today, many Basques see their language as a symbol of survival and cultural pride. Kids learn Euskara in schools, and it’s used in music, festivals, and even graffiti. For Basque people, speaking Euskara isn’t just about communication, it’s about saying, “We are still here, and we are proud of who we are.”

In multicultural Spain, where Spanish, Catalan, and Basque are spoken, language plays a huge role in shaping identity and even political beliefs. 

Being bilingual means you can connect deeply with different communities. It also means you might face questions about who you really are. But here’s the truth: language doesn’t split your identity. It only adds to it. Anthropologists say that language is one of the strongest markers of identity. It influences how we think, how we act, and how we express love, pain, joy, and resistance. And I believe this is beautiful.