A Corpus-assisted Critical Discourse Analysis of Identity Construction within American Chinese Immigrants in Fresh Off the Boat from the Perspective of Acculturation

Abstract

This study employs acculturative theory combined with a postcolonial perspective to examine identity construction among Chinese immigrants in America. Through a mixed-methods approach that combines corpus-based analysis and critical discourse analysis, the research examines Fresh Off the Boat to identify distinct patterns of acculturation across three generations of immigrants. Key findings show that integration (41.7%) and separation (27.9%) are the predominant acculturation strategies, while marginalization (9.6%) is the least common. The study demonstrates how different generations employ varying linguistic patterns and cultural practices to navigate their dual identities, thereby contributing to an understanding of the complex dynamics of immigrant identity formation and providing practical insights for supporting cross-cultural adaptation in Chinese American communities.