The Dynamics of Transnational Migration, Language, and Identity
摘要
This chapter focuses on the dynamics of transnational mainland Chinese (MC) migration and the diversity of sociolinguistic research on these new MC migrants in Malaysia. We find the focus on transnationalism to be relevant in terms of addressing conflicting expectations within the MC community and with respect to the multiple subject positions of these new migrants, including their ties to their homeland (especially those who mainly employ monolingual practices) as well as their ties to their new host country, thereby exploring the diverse ‘voice’ and belonging of these new migrants. Mixed methods research was adopted in the form of ethnographic observations, questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, and linguistic landscape (LL) research. This study focuses on four main groups of Chinese migrants: students (in tertiary institutions), expatriates/professionals, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) migrants, and marriage migrants or spouses of Malaysian citizens.