Journal of International and Intercultural Communication
Volume 11, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 1-20

“Oh my god! You have become so Americanized”: Paradoxes of adaptation and strategic ambiguity among female immigrant faculty (Article)

Chen Y.-W.* , Lawless B.
  • a School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, United States
  • b Department of Communication Studies, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, United States

Abstract

Guided by De La Garza and Ono’s differential adaptation theory, we examine discourses from immigrant women faculty in the U.S. academy. We utilize thematic analysis to analyze interviews with 26 self-identified immigrant faculty members. Our analysis reveals three interrelating themes: negotiating foreign-female body politics, navigating paradoxes of adaptation, and deploying strategic ambiguity. We theorize the notion of “micro/macro-adaptation” describing mundane and cumulative adaptations that cultural “strangers” make, negotiate, and/or are expected to enact, which paradoxically can function to further disorient, alienate, or marginalize them. © 2017 National Communication Association.

Author Keywords

Othering strategic ambiguity Higher education Immigration Adaptation

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85032687420&doi=10.1080%2f17513057.2017.1385825&partnerID=40&md5=f75071ab0915d848b1f8d537a4746add
DOI: 10.1080/17513057.2017.1385825
ISSN: 17513057
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English