Paper Title: The Role of Multilingualism in Shaping Identity among Indian Youth
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Abstract
India is a land of many languages, and for young people growing up in this diverse environment, multilingualism plays an important role in shaping their identity. This study explores how knowing and using multiple languages influences the way Indian youth see themselves, connect with others, and express their cultural values. In schools, colleges, families, and on social media, young people often switch between languages like Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, and many others. This language mixing is not just practical— it also reflects their flexible and layered sense of self. Multilingual youth often feel proud of their regional roots while also being comfortable in global spaces. Language becomes a tool for belonging, creativity, and confidence. It helps them build relationships across different communities and express their thoughts in unique ways. At the same time, some young people may feel pressure to use certain languages more than others, especially English, which is often linked to education and career success. This can create tension between tradition and modernity. By using secondary data such as articles, interviews, and previous studies, this paper shows that multilingualism is not just about communication—it is deeply connected to identity, emotion, and social experience. Understanding this connection can help educators, parents, and policymakers support youth in embracing their linguistic diversity with pride and balance. In short, multilingualism helps Indian youth shape who they are in a changing world.
Keywords:Multilingualism, Indian Youth, Identity, Language Mixing, Regional Languages, English, Cultural Expression, Social Belonging, Tradition and Modernity, Linguistic Diversity.
DOI Link – https://doi.org/10.63431/AIJITR/2.V.2025.01-07
Review By – Dr. Santanu Biswas and Amit Adhikari