How does a state build a national identity? What are the factors that create a unifying
theme for a state that all of its citizens can cling to? It would seem that adopting the cultural
practices of the state’s local population would be the most appropriate. Symbolism, traditions,
and language have all been cited as useful cultural markers a state can adopt when building a
national identity. Many scholars of nationalism, such as Anderson (1983), Greenfeld (1992), and
Hobsbawm (1992), have agreed that a common unifying language is one of the most important
building blocks for a national identity. It almost feels blindingly obvious, a common language
facilitates better economic, bureaucratic, and social coordination in a country. A government will
often designate a language as its official language, and will conduct most governmental affairs
and bureaucracy in this language. Thus a country’s population will learn this language for
economic and social integration, and helps foster a common national identity.