THE LANGUAGE POLICY IN CONDITIONS OF ARMED CONFLICTS: A PHILOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF IDENTITY

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of language policy in conditions of armed conflict as a key instrument for constructing collective identity, which serves as a foundation for the formation of national self- awareness and social solidarity. The fundamental functions of language policy – mobilizational, identificational, legitimizing, memorial, and repressive–are examined in the context of profound sociocultural transformations caused by military actions and crisis situations. The linguistic mechanisms employed by both state institutions and non-state actors (media, civic initiatives, activist communities) to shape, maintain, and strengthen national identity are analyzed in detail, as well as the role of language as a tool for establishing and marking boundaries between «insiders» and «outsiders». Special attention is given to interdisciplinary approaches that integrate sociolinguistic, discursive, cultural, and psychological analyses of linguistic phenomena in wartime conditions, allowing a deeper understanding of the processes of language-based identity construction and language functioning amid extreme social transformations. The article highlights dynamic processes of emergence of new linguistic practices, innovative lexical constructions, and semantic narratives reflecting experiences of violence, loss, resistance, solidarity, and collective memory. Such processes provide legitimization of political decisions, mobilization of social energy, and support narratives of national unity and resistance. The role of language policy in strengthening social cohesion, forming a resilient national identity, and ensuring language security is emphasized, which becomes especially relevant in the context of external aggression and hybrid threats. It is established that language policy in wartime acquires a multifunctional character, affecting not only the communicative sphere but also the political, cultural, and psychological dimensions of societal life. The results obtained have practical significance for the development of language policy, advancement of philological research and linguistic practices, as well as for supporting stability and resilience of national culture and social harmony amid contemporary challenges, contributing to the formation of a solid foundation for the further construction of a democratic society and ensuring cultural security of the state.