Language and cultural identity: role, interrelationship and challenges in the era of globalization

The article analyzes the role of language in the formation of cultural identity, emphasizing its importance as a means of communication, a carrier of cultural heritage, and an instrument that shapes worldview. Such concepts as linguistic relativity and determinism, including the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, are considered, which explain the influence of language on the perception of reality, social behavior, and cultural self-awareness. Particular attention is paid to multilingual societies. The article discusses the challenges associated with globalization and the loss of linguistic diversity, as well as the role of educational systems and language policies in preserving cultural identity.