Related Experiment Videos
Identity construction among second-generation Chinese in Italy: a perspective on the symbolic function of language
Tu Haiqiang1, Guo Jun1, Wang Jia Yi1
1School of International Educational, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China.
None:
As a distinct demographic navigating a cross-cultural landscape, second-generation Chinese immigrants in Italy exhibit patterns of language use that serve as crucial indicators of their identity construction. Based on a quantitative analysis of scales measuring identity, language proficiency, and linguistic behavior, this study identifies a structural paradox within this group characterized by the coexistence of "low literacy proficiency" and "strong ethnic identity." The findings suggest that the function of the Chinese language for these individuals is shifting from a purely functional skill to a symbolic marker, acting as a primary vehicle for cultural cohesion. This symbolic usage is predominantly evident in family interactions, identity performance within peer groups, and contexts of emotional expression. The study concludes that this symbolic mode of language use constitutes a mechanism for identity maintenance that operates independently of actual literacy skills, thereby offering a novel interpretive framework for understanding heritage language acquisition and cross-cultural identity formation.
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Language and Cognition
Social Identity
Role-Based Identity
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...