THE SOCIAL DIMENSION OF ECOLINGUISTICS: LANGUAGE, ENVIRONMENT, AND ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS

Ecolinguistics is an emerging interdisciplinary field within contemporary linguistics that explores the relationship between language, society, and the natural environment. In the context of global ecological challenges and rapid socio-cultural change, language plays a crucial role in shaping environmental awareness and human attitudes toward nature. This article examines ecolinguistics as a new field in the social direction of linguistics, focusing on its theoretical foundations, key concepts, and research perspectives. The study analyzes how ecological values, environmental ideologies, and cultural attitudes toward nature are reflected and constructed through language. Special attention is given to ecological discourse analysis, linguistic diversity, and the role of language in promoting sustainable development. The article also discusses the prospects of ecolinguistics in modern linguistics and its relevance for social sciences, education, and environmental communication.