Space, scale and languages: Identity construction of cross-boundary students in a multilingual university in Hong Kong

Space, scale and languages: Identity construction of cross-boundary students in a multilingual university in Hong Kong

• Gu, Michelle Mingyue English Dept., Hong Kong Institute of Education
• Tong, Ho Kin Chinese Dept., Hong Kong Institute of Education

Language and Education, 26(6), 501-515, 2012

Routledge

2012

• N Students & Student Services
  • NN Overseas Students in Hong Kong
• Q Philosophy of Education, Educational System & School At Different Levels
  • QE Post-Secondary Education
• B Human Behaviour
  • BC Group Process

Language Usage Hong Kong Multicultural Education Higher Education Chinese Languages Language Attitudes Intercultural Communication Putonghua English (Second Language) Peer Relationship Student Attitudes Identity Multilingualism

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Post-Secondary Education

Drawing on the notions of scale and space, this paper investigates identity construction among a group of mainland Chinese cross-boundary students by analysing their language choices and linguistic practices in a multilingual university in Hong Kong. The research illustrates how movement across spaces by these students produces varying index values for languages and influences their language usage, which becomes emblematic of individual and group identities. The research demonstrates that the values developed in their place of origin may have influences on their identity construction and peer communication in the host context. Finally, it shows that these students use their multiple linguistic repertoires to project multilayered identities and gain legitimacy in peer interactions.
[Copyright of Language and Education is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2012.663553]

• English

Journal Articles

• 09500782

• 10.1080/09500782.2012.663553

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/bibs/70b9651f

2014-01-18