Hyphenated identities and acculturation: second generation Chinese of Canada and the Netherlands

This research used a mixed-methods approach to compare the meanings of hyphenated identities in terms of acculturation attitudes across the 2nd generation Chinese of Canada and The Netherlands. The authors conducted two studies: (a) a statistical analysis of the acculturation correlates of hyphenated identity and (b) a discourse analysis of the construction of hyphenated identities in relation to contrast categories. Statistically, the hyphenated position did not correspond to an integrated acculturation profile; discursively, Canadian-Chinese and Dutch-Chinese were accountable positions constructed in relation to national categories. The civic discourse of being Canadian appeared to be more supportive of hyphenated identities. The authors concluded that research gains from combining different perspectives on identity, both as inner psychological constructs and as relational discursive positions.