Ties that Bind: The Strategic Use of Transnational Relationships in Demarcating Identity and Managing Difference

Abstract

Transnational migration is disrupting definitions of cultural identity as its processes of cross-border mobility unsettle associations between people and place. Relationships, as one element of everyday cultural practice that circumscribes identity and belonging, are also affected by this mobility. Using data from qualitative research with Australian transnational professionals working in Asia, this paper elaborates on the interaction between identity and relationship formation. The findings indicate that participants’ attempts to develop professional and social relationships in a new cultural context lead to a re-evaluation of identity and the development of mobile subjectivity to manage difference and re-find points of comfort defined by shared meanings. The analysis is placed within broader reflections on the processes of migration and the dynamics of cultural change that are taking place within transnational global flows, supporting arguments that processes of deterritorialisation do not necessarily equate with declining allegiance to a national identity.

Keywords:

• Transnationalism
• Migration
• Relationships
• Culture
• Identity

Notes

1. ‘Affect’ here is taken to mean the embodied response to emotional stimuli. This is based on the work of Terada (2001), who suggests that emotion is a psychological experience whose physiological aspect is affect.

2. It is acknowledged that identity is not a static phenomenon for settled non-migrants either but, for the purposes of this paper, the focus is on the dynamics of transnational migration.

3. Carried out through personal contacts—the author having worked in a transnational financial-services company in Sydney and Singapore—and through networking associations such as Asialink (University of Melbourne).

4. As reported by Asian participants, the behaviour of Australian expatriates could also generate frustration for local colleagues. I would argue that intercultural engagement is rarely without some degree of tension.

5. An iconic Australian figure, generally someone using humour to subvert authority.

6. On average, 60 per cent Australian and other expatriate nationalities, 40 per cent Singaporean. Thanks to Philip Forrest, former President, AustCham, for this information.

7. For some, even preferred values could begin to shift but this third element of cultural identity is perhaps the most resilient to change. See Peter Worsley's (1984) discussion.

8. ‘Ocker’ is Australian slang for behaving in a stereotypically Australian manner.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melissa Butcher

Melissa Butcher is Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the Open University