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ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Heritage language maintenance, acculturation, and identity: Chinese and Korean 1.5 generation immigrants in New Jersey

Kang, Hana
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1143819278

Abstract Details

2004, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, East Asian Languages and Literatures.
The present study uses quantitative methods to investigate the relationship among heritage language maintenance, acculturation level and ethnic identity of 1.5 generation Chinese and Korean immigrants who belong to same pan-ethnic group of Asian Americans. This study defines 1.5 generation Chinese and Korean immigrants as those who immigrated to the United States while they were attending elementary school in their homeland. A total of eighteen college students participated in this study. The participants are eight Chinese (five male and three female) students whose parents are native speakers of Mandarin and ten Korean college students (five male and five female). To measure their Chinese/Korean language maintenance, the linguistic task asks participants to give cooking instructions to their mother. The questionnaire assesses their level of acculturation and perception of Chinese/Korean identity. The results of this study show that Chinese and Korean 1.5 generation immigrants do not have correlations between heritage language maintenance and acculturation/Identity. There is a similarity between these both groups: their Language Use and Lifestyle have a correlation. There are no differences in the frequency of Chinese/Korean Language Use, the degree to which they like Chinese/Korean Lifestyle, and their perception of Chinese/Korean Identity. However, for Korean 1.5 generation immigrants, Lifestyle and Identity are correlated. Korean 1.5 generation immigrants show higher level of heritage language proficiency than Chinese 1.5 generation immigrants. These differences suggest that there is a possibility that Chinese and Korean 1.5 generation immigrants use a different process in developing their ethnic identity despite of their cultural similarities. One possible reason for the differences may be due to sub-ethnic identity of Chinese 1.5 generation immigrants. Another possible reason is that participants came from two different political, economic, and cultural unities, China and Taiwan. Overall, results suggest the separate categorization of 1.5 generation immigrants from the first and second generation immigrants. The 1.5 generations is different from both the first and second generation with respect to perception of identity and to heritage language proficiency. Further, this study suggests that scholars consider both sub-ethnic identity issues and that of pan-ethnic identity when they study 1.5 generation immigrants.
Marjorie Chan (Advisor)
82 p.
CHINESE; KOREAN; generation immigrants; IMMIGRANTS; HERITAGE LANGUAGE; LANGUAGE

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kang, H. (2004). Heritage language maintenance, acculturation, and identity: Chinese and Korean 1.5 generation immigrants in New Jersey [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1143819278

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kang, Hana. Heritage language maintenance, acculturation, and identity: Chinese and Korean 1.5 generation immigrants in New Jersey. 2004. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1143819278.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kang, Hana. "Heritage language maintenance, acculturation, and identity: Chinese and Korean 1.5 generation immigrants in New Jersey." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1143819278

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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