Construction of Cross-Cultural Identity by Language Choice and Linguistic Practice: A Case-Study of Mixed Hong Kong-Mainland Identity in University Contexts

Tao Gong, Lan Shuai, Jia Liu

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.
Department of Linguistics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

DOI: 10.4236/ojml.2013.33028                

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.

Keywords

Cross-Cultural Identity; Linguistic Practice; Code-Mixing; Code-Switching

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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