How did Johann Gottfried Herder’s ideas connect culture with national identity?

Johann Gottfried von Herder was a pivotal figure in defining German national identity during the 18th century, a time when a unified German nation-state did not yet exist. He introduced the concepts of cultural relativism and historicism, positing that every culture possesses a distinct collective identity or "ethnic soul" (Volksseele).1

Herder argued that this Volksseele is most authentically expressed through folk literature and oral poetry (Volksdichtung). By studying these cultural artifacts, a people could realize and perfect their unique characteristics, preventing their nature from being lost to foreign influence. He famously asserted that a poet acts as the creator of their nation, using language to shape the world and guide the souls of the people.12

For Herder, language was not merely a tool but a reflection of human nature and the specific outlook of its users. By valuing the "mother tongue" and ancient folk traditions, he provided a framework for Germans to develop a self-awareness independent of external cultural dominance, ultimately linking the preservation of cultural heritage directly to the formation of national destiny.21