Identitetska

Identitetska is a term used in contemporary identity studies to describe the process by which individuals negotiate and present their identities across different social contexts, including online spaces. It emphasizes the fluidity and performativity of selfhood, and the ways social norms, communities, and digital platforms shape how identities are enacted and recognized.

Etymology and scope: The term appears as a neologism formed from identitet (identity) in Slavic languages, with the suffix -ska signaling a field, practice, or discipline. As such, identitetska functions as a label for a line of inquiry rather than a fixed theory.

Theoretical usage: In research, identitetska refers to both internal identity work and external display, such as language choices, appearance, bios and avatars, and the roles people adopt within different groups. It is often used to analyze intersectional factors like ethnicity, gender, nationality, and online subcultures, as well as cross-border or diaspora contexts. The concept aligns with discussions on identity performance and boundary-work and can serve as a bridge between traditional identity theory and digital identity studies.

Limitations: As a relatively new or niche neologism, there is no universal definition or standard methodology, and its boundaries with related concepts can be blurred.

See also: Identity, Identity construction, Performativity, Digital identity.