| Author: | Yu, Yehan |
| Title: | Exploring multiple identities : a multimodal analysis of social media posts by mainland Chinese English majors in Hong Kong |
| Advisors: | Feng, Dezheng William (ENGL) |
| Degree: | M.A. |
| Year: | 2025 |
| Department: | Department of English and Communication |
| Pages: | 72 pages : color illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | This study examines the ongoing identity construction of English majors from mainland China during their sojourn in taught postgraduate (TPg) programs in Hong Kong, focusing on their identities with respect to academic, professional, intercultural, and personal aspects. By analyzing their micro-level WeChat discursive practices in relation to macro socio-cultural contexts, the study sheds light on how these English majors socially and discursively construct multifaceted identities on WeChat Moments. The findings reveal four identities. First and foremost, as diligent and reflective second language learners, they resist the stereotype of a worthless English degree by balancing academic pressures while proactively reflecting on the current state of the discipline. Professionally, as stressed stability seekers in the humanities discipline, they prioritize secure careers as "iron rice bowl" jobs (jobs in China's state sector) amid a competitive mainland job market. Culturally, they construct themselves as sojourners with strong cross-cultural awareness, bridging cultural divides while demonstrating intercultural competence as English majors. Individually, they curate cosmopolitan lifestyles on WeChat Moments to highlight their commitment to language learning and showcase their cultural capital. Moreover, this study explores their dynamic transformation, as students undergo identity shifts during their sojourn, gaining more defined career aspirations, enhanced overseas learning experiences, and richer intercultural engagement. In conclusion, by adopting a discursive view to examine identity, this study yields significant implications for mainland Chinese English majors by providing guidance for their academic and professional trajectories while offering valuable insights into their overseas study decisions. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8856.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 8.36 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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