Voicing the self: discursive representations of Chinese old-generation migrant workers

Abstract

This study, drawing upon J. R. Martin’s appraisal theory, examines the discursive representations of self in a corpus of in-depth interviews with 15 Chinese old-generation migrant workers. Migrants represent self as aliens, outlanders, the suppressed and socially excluded, but with strong self-awareness and a definite self-categorisation. This study has implications for removing the stigma and stereotype against this group and enhancing their power of discourse. Also, with the voice being heard, the marginalised have the opportunity to resist forced identity and to contribute to building a bridge of sympathy, empathy, respect and understanding between the powerful and the powerless.

摘要：本文运用马丁的评价理论以15名中国老一代农民工的深度访谈为语料探讨其自我身份的话语表征。农民工把自我表征为异己者、外来者、受社会排斥压制者，但却有着强烈的自我意识和身份类别归属感。本研究旨在为消除社会对这个弱势群体的污名和刻板印象、提升他们的话语权提供启示；赋予这一边缘群体话语权，使其有机会抵制强加给他们的身份，这对于构筑强势群体与弱势群体之间同情、移情、尊重与理解的桥梁具有重要意义。

Keywords:

• discursive representation
• identity
• self
• Chinese old-generation migrant workers
• oral narratives
• appraisal: China

Notes

1. Liamputtong, Researching the Vulnerable, 6.

2. Bucholtz and Hall, “Identity and Interaction.”

3. Dolby and Cornbleth, “Introduction.”

4. Tajfel, Differentiation between Social Groups, 61.

5. Hayati and Maniati, “Beggars are sometimes the Chooser.”

6. Dolby and Cornbleth, “Introduction,” 293.

7. Martin and Rose, Working with Discourse, 15.

8. Edwards, Language and Identity.

9. de Fina et al., Discourse and Identity, 15.

10. van Dijk, “Multidisciplinary CDA”; Duszak, Us and Others; Myers-Scotton, Social Motivations; and Richards, Language and Professional Identity.

11. Liamputtong, Researching the Vulnerable.

12. Gabrielatos and Baker, “Fleeing, Sneaking, Flooding.”

13. Baxter and Wallace, “Outside In-group and Out-group Identities?”

14. Hayati and Maniati, “Beggars are sometimes the Chooser.”

15. de Fina and King, “Language Problem or Language Conflict?”

16. Ladegaard, “The Discourse of Powerlessness.”

17. Feng, “Content and Discourse Analysis.”

18. Tang, “Dianshi Minsheng Xinwen de Duomotai Jiji Huayu Fenxi”; and Tang, “Ruoshi Qunti Shenfen Biaozheng de Jiji Huayu Fenxi.”

19. Tang, “The Discourse Representation of Migrant Workers.”

20. van Dijk, “Ideological Discourse Analysis.”

21. de Fina et al., Discourse and Identity.

22. Ladegaard, “Discourse of Powerlessness.”

23. Cortazzi, “Narrative Analysis in Ethnography.”

24. Holmes, “Why Tell Stories?”

25. Bucholtz and Hall, “Identity and Interaction.”

26. Labov and Waletzky , “Narrative Analysis.”

27. Martin and Rose, Working with Discourse; and Martin and White, The Language of Evaluation.

28. Martin and White, The Language of Evaluation.

29. Ibid, 120.

30. Wodak et al., The Discursive Construction of National Identity.

31. Bower and Forgas, “Mood and Social Memory.”

32. van Dijk, Elite Discourse and Racism.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Project of National Philosophy and Social Science [grant 10BYY085].