Ethnic Affirmation by Chinese Bilinguals

Abstract

What is the effect on the response of bilinguals when they are presented with a questionnaire in their first or their second languages? To examine this question 121 university students completed a survey on their identification with Chinese or Western practices. The questionnaire was written in Chinese or English and administered in small groups by one of four investigators-two Chinese, two Western. Results showed higher levels of Chinese identification in response to the English version of the attitude survey. It was proposed that this ethnic affirmation depends on the respondent's level of identification with the first culture and the availability of behaviors to affirm or deny that first culture. The phenomenon of ethnic affirmation extends beyond questionnaire responding and would seem applicable to any situation where one's ethnic salience is heightened. Cross-cultural interaction, particularly in a research context, is a prime example.