Ethnic Identity of Older Chinese in Canada

Lai, Daniel W. L.

doi:10.1007/s10823-011-9157-7

Cited by 13 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Such organisation is usually more feasible in large, concentrated communities where individuals can join cultural organisations, share cultural practices and values, and form a cohesive "speech community" (Lai 2012). In cities where the immigrant community is small and dispersed, however, cultural participation and exposure is limited, and thus learning and maintenance of home language may decline and sense of ethnic identity may weaken.…”

Section: Factor 2: Organisation Of the Chinese Community In Pretoriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Speaking or being Chinese: the case of South African-born Chinese

Vivier

2015

International Journal of the Sociology of Language

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Language is often seen as an important symbol and marker of identity. The relationship between the two especially comes to the fore in the experience of immigrants who often must negotiate competing pressures on their identities and language usage. In this article we examine the link between language and identity through an exploration of the lived experiences of four Chinese individuals in South Africa. Drawing on interview data, we examine their language and identity shifts and the factors driving such shifts (or lack thereof). Our analysis reveals multiple degrees and expressions of Chinese identity, of which language is sometimes but not always relevant. We find that social and historical contexts shape the needs and motivations of the individual, who often uses language strategically and flexibly to emphasise or understate particular identities. We conclude that the situational view of the language-identity relation is more appropriate to explain the weak and strong language-identity links that occur at the micro-level.

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Section: Factor 2: Organisation Of the Chinese Community In Pretoriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Speaking or being Chinese: the case of South African-born Chinese

Vivier

2015

International Journal of the Sociology of Language

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“…This can be, for instance, ethnic identity in terms of whether migrants primarily identify with the ethnicity of their origins or with that of their second home (see e.g. Lai 2012). It can also be self-identity in the context of migration, focusing on the process of adjusting to a new country (see e.g.…”

Section: Ethnicity Migration or Both With Old(er) Age As A Givenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Those who have migrated more recently seem more likely to have retained their Chinese identity, which also appears to be the case for those who are older. Lai (2012) also studies ethnic identity among older Chinese in Canada, 32 arguing however that selfidentifications alone cannot capture the complexity of ethnic identity. Instead, he proposes a measurement of both internal feelings (such as self-image and attitudes) and external, observable behaviours (such as maintenance of cultural traditions and engagement in cultural practices).…”

Section: Roberman 2007bmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Informants were interviewed in Vancouver and Victoria. 32 Lai's (2012) sample includes 2272 individuals aged 55 and above who have been living in Canada for varying amounts of time (with less than two per cent in fact born in Canada). The participants of this study lived in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal.…”

Section: Roberman 2007bmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In terms of methods used, the vast majority of studies reviewed here (30 out of 34) use qualitative methodologies, and only four (namely Bolzman et al 2006, Gee 1999, Lai 2012and Ng & Northcott 2010) use quantitative methods. The present study follows suit by way of using a qualitative approach.…”

Section: The Sampling Of Older Migrants In Previous Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identity, Old(er) Age and Migrancy : A Social Constructionist Len

Machat-From¹

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Identity research in relation to ethnicity and migration has tended to focus on younger people whilst identity research in relation to ageing and old(er) age has not focused on migrants. This inadvertent mutual neglect has led to a lack of identity research that examines the identity categories of old(er) age and migrancy together, a lacuna that this dissertation aims to redress. This dissertation departs from a social constructionist understanding of identity as situationally accomplished in the interplay between how one defines oneself (internally) and how others define one (externally). The questions raised by this perspective and addressed in this dissertation are: When (in what situations) and in relation to whom do old(er) age and migrancy (respectively) seem to become meaningful for identification? How do the identity categories of old(er) age and migrancy seem to be negotiated? The empirical material consists of in-depth interviews with 24 older migrants (13 men, 11 women) aged between 55 and 79 who have been living in Sweden for 18 to 61 years. Interviewees come from 12 different countries that vary in perceived cultural distance from Sweden. The findings suggest that identifications with old(er) age and migrancy seem to be dynamic and flexible rather than necessarily permanently meaningful, thus gaining meaning in specific situations and in relation to particular Others. External definitions furthermore do not always seem to match with internal ones. Regardless of how old(er) age and migrancy are constructed, they seem to be negotiable. This dissertation thus contributes to identity research by studying old(er) age and migrancy together and furthermore sheds light onto how the social constructionist lens allows us to see variability where stability otherwise would be presumed.

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The Experience of Korean Immigrant Women Adjusting to Canadian Society

Choi

Kushner

Mill

et al. 2014

J Cross Cult Gerontol

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The acculturation process is an important factor in the experience of all immigrants. Although previous studies have indicated the challenges faced by Korean immigrants, little attention has been paid to Korean women's immigration experiences. A focused ethnography was used to examine midlife and older Korean immigrant women's experiences following their immigration to Canada. Fifteen women were interviewed in a city in Western Canada. The findings showed that in coming to Canada, women focused on caring for their children and often sacrificed their personal dreams. They had to be employed to support their families, and received support from family and government. Women participated regularly in a Korean Church and drew on their Christian faith to ease their adjustment. They retained hopes for the future including good health and a better life for their children. Most women indicated that it was difficult to integrate into Canadian society but they never gave up on their adjustment to a new culture. In this manuscript, the adjustment experience of the immigrant women is discussed in the context of an acculturation framework. The findings will enhance health professionals' awareness of adjustment patterns and associated challenges to Korean immigrant women's quality of life.

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Ethnic Identity of Older Chinese in Canada

Cited by 13 publications

References 37 publications

Speaking or being Chinese: the case of South African-born Chinese

Speaking or being Chinese: the case of South African-born Chinese

Identity, Old(er) Age and Migrancy : A Social Constructionist Len

The Experience of Korean Immigrant Women Adjusting to Canadian Society

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