Acculturation in a postcolonial context: Language, identity, cultural adaptation, and academic achievement of Macao students in Mainland China. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lou, Nigel Mantou
• Is Part Of: International journal of intercultural relations. Volume 85(2021)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 225
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Identity -- Language -- Cultural adaptation -- Acculturation -- Postcolonialism -- Academic achievement -- Macao -- China; Intercultural communication -- Periodicals; Cultural relations -- Periodicals; Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Communication interculturelle -- Périodiques; Relations culturelles -- Périodiques; Études transculturelles -- Périodiques; Cross-cultural studies; Cultural relations; Intercultural communication; Periodicals; 303.482
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2021.10.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-1767

Abstract

Abstract: The mainstream acculturation research focuses on international students and immigrants' settlement in a new cultural environment, but little is known about the adaptation process of people from postcolonial areas relocating to their home country. Drawing from research on acculturation and postcolonial studies, this research examined the importance of language and social identity of Macao Chinese ( N = 102; 50 males, M age = 20.1) transitioning to universities in Mainland China. The results of path analysis showed that Chinese national identity and perceived Mandarin language proficiency were positively associated with each other, but they were linked to cultural adaptation through different paths. Perceived language proficiency was directly linked to social, academic, and psychological adaptation, whereas Chinese identity was indirectly associated with social and academic adaptation through acculturation to the Mainland Chinese culture. Moreover, academic adaptation was, in turn, associated with academic achievement (i.e., GPAs). The present study extends acculturation research to a postcolonial context, highlighting that national identity and language proficiency are important factors for successful cultural adaptation to the homeland. The theoretical and practical implications regarding intra-cultural adaptation barriers andprocesses in postcolonial contexts were discussed. Highlights: The present study extends acculturation research to a postcolonial context. Participants were post-secondary students from Macao China studying in Mainland China. Language proficiency and national identity were linked to cultural adaptation through different paths. Language proficiency was directly linked to social, academic, and psychological adaptation. National identity was indirectly associated with social and academic adaptation through acculturation to the Mainland Chinese culture.