Journal of International and Intercultural Communication
2019

Cultural value discrepancies, strategic positioning and integrated identity: American migrants’ experiences of being the Other in mainland China (Article)

Liu Y.* , Kramer E.
  • a School of English and International Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China
  • b Department of Communication, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States

Abstract

Focusing on 35 American migrants’ experiences in mainland China, this study provides a new conceptual understanding of international migrants’ Other-identity formulated in and through intercultural encounters. Guided by grounded theory, this study demonstrates that American migrants’ Otherness was frequently triggered by their divergences from Chinese cultural values’ emphasis on individuals’ conformity to interdependence, group interests, group cohesiveness, homogeneity and unequally distribution of power and status within a social structure. As the Other in mainland China, American migrants adapted themselves to Chinese society via diverse strategic positioning, which eventually contributed to the differential formation of an integrated identity during immigration. © 2019, © 2019 National Communication Association.

Author Keywords

Cultural value discrepancies integrated identity American migrants differential adaptation Other-identity

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074399960&doi=10.1080%2f17513057.2019.1679226&partnerID=40&md5=a83892d4ce94b87a56fa29318f30b66d

DOI: 10.1080/17513057.2019.1679226
ISSN: 17513057
Original Language: English