This study explores how second-generation Chinese immigrants in Australia reconstruct their cultural identities through creative writing.Thirty participants created narrative essays in English and continuously recorde...This study explores how second-generation Chinese immigrants in Australia reconstruct their cultural identities through creative writing.Thirty participants created narrative essays in English and continuously recorded reflective journals in a four-week writing workshop,followed by in-depth interviews.The analysis reveals two major linguistic strategies—codeswitching and mixed metaphor—as well as two major thematic paradigms—cultural nostalgia and responding to stereotypes.Quantitative data show that,on average,there are 4.7 code-switches per article,and the use of metaphors spans dimensions such as food culture,natural images,family rituals,and urban memories.From a qualitative perspective,the authors describe creative writing as an enabling space:not only does it confirm bilingual capacity and coordinate double attribution,but it also helps resist simplified stereotypes.The structured and flexible reflection workshop provides a platform to revisit family legends,reconstruct the legacy narrative,and promote intergenerational dialogue.Research findings indicate that writing practice not only records the cultural adaptation and identity reconstruction of distinct groups,but also actively participates in shaping them.Pedagogical implications include integrating native language resources and cultural writing prompts into reading and writing classes to help diverse learners express their complex identities.Future studies can extend this framework to other immigrant communities and track its long-term impact on cultural confidence and social integration.展开更多
文摘This study explores how second-generation Chinese immigrants in Australia reconstruct their cultural identities through creative writing.Thirty participants created narrative essays in English and continuously recorded reflective journals in a four-week writing workshop,followed by in-depth interviews.The analysis reveals two major linguistic strategies—codeswitching and mixed metaphor—as well as two major thematic paradigms—cultural nostalgia and responding to stereotypes.Quantitative data show that,on average,there are 4.7 code-switches per article,and the use of metaphors spans dimensions such as food culture,natural images,family rituals,and urban memories.From a qualitative perspective,the authors describe creative writing as an enabling space:not only does it confirm bilingual capacity and coordinate double attribution,but it also helps resist simplified stereotypes.The structured and flexible reflection workshop provides a platform to revisit family legends,reconstruct the legacy narrative,and promote intergenerational dialogue.Research findings indicate that writing practice not only records the cultural adaptation and identity reconstruction of distinct groups,but also actively participates in shaping them.Pedagogical implications include integrating native language resources and cultural writing prompts into reading and writing classes to help diverse learners express their complex identities.Future studies can extend this framework to other immigrant communities and track its long-term impact on cultural confidence and social integration.
