SPANISH IN MULTI-ETHNIC SPACE: POLITICAL DIMENSION

Abstract

The article explores the actual role of the Spanish language in the multi-ethnic space. It is justified that the notion of Spanish as a common language and as one for all states where it is official, including Spain itself, is very much criticized by academic philologists, politicians and ordinary citizens, both in Latin America and Spain, and the reasons behind these processes are analysed. The content of the current public image of Spanish is determined, and the trends and conditions related to the situation of its discrimination in the multi-ethnic space are considered. The main focus of the study is aimed at the political dimension of the problem under study. The authors conclude that defining role of Spanish plays in shaping national cultural identity in current circumstances, it can be assumed that nationalist circles will inevitably resort to language as an instrument to defend and promote their own ideas, using it as a catalyst for political processes. It is possible to successfully resist such actions, according to the authors, by pursuing a language policy based on the principle of panhispanism.