The present study examined the impact of globalization-driven exposure to English and other Western languages on the linguistic landscape and cultural identity of Iraqi youth. As Iraq navigates a complex sociolinguistic terrain shaped by its rich multilingual heritage (Arabic, Kurdish, Turkmen, Assyrian) and the pressures of global integration, this research investigates the penetration of foreign languages into public and private domains and their subsequent influence on self-conception. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from a sample of 28 Iraqi participants aged 18–30 through a validated Likert-scale questionnaire (α = 0.86) and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed a significant presence of English within Iraq's linguistic landscape, evident in education, urban signage, digital media, and professional spheres, where it functions as both a pragmatic tool for global access and a symbol of modernity and status. Concurrently, the study notes a concerning marginalization of indigenous languages, risking attrition and weakened intergenerational transmission. It can be concluded that while engagement with global languages offers instrumental benefits, it necessitates deliberate strategies to sustain Iraq's linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. It recommends integrated pedagogical and policy interventions, including balanced multilingual education, culturally relevant curricula, and the strategic use of digital media to promote heritage languages.
