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Construction of Cross-Cultural Identity by Language Choice and Linguistic Practice: A Case-Study of Mixed Hong Kong-Mainland Identity in University Contexts
Department of Linguistics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
Department of Linguistics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- 1 Department of Linguistics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- 2 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
- 3 Department of Linguistics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Open Journal of Modern Linguistics·Volume 03 (2013)·Pages 208–215·Published 9 August 2013·DOI10.4236/ojml.2013.33028
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Abstract
Studying relations between language and speaker’s identity is an interdisciplinary field that involves intersections among language, culture, and society. By examining the language choice and linguistic practice, especially code-mixing and code-switching, of the Mainland China students who are studying in universities of Hong Kong, we reveal a mixed Hong Kong-Mainland identity in these students: those who hold a Mainland-oriented identity tend to have a Putonghua-dominated language choice and linguistic practice, whereas those who embrace a Hong Kong-oriented identity tend to prefer a Cantonese-dominated choice and practice. This mixed identity helps better conceive the social image of Mainland immigrants in Hong Kong and discuss the cross-cultural identity formed by linguistic practice.
KeywordsCross-Cultural IdentityLinguistic PracticeCode-MixingCode-Switching
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