The Phenomenon of National Identity in American Mass Media

Abstract

This article is devoted to the study of verbal reflection of the phenomenon of national identity in the discourse of modern American media. The concept of "identity" and its role in human life are considered. Characteristic features of "ethnic" and "national" identities are analyzed. The necessity of a detailed study of the issue of modern man's identity against the background of large-scale globalisation processes is revealed and substantiated. The authors emphasise the readers' attention to the difficulties of forming national identity in the conditions of a multi-ethnic, multinational state. The authors give examples of representation of the phenomenon of national identity in media discourse. Media texts in English are analysed. On the basis of mass media articles, the authors reveal the peculiarities of the manifestation of national identity in American society. The authors conclude, that national identity serves as a tool to strengthen the unity of different ethno-communities in the United States, reflecting the socio-cultural state of the nation and defining its ideology.