A Research On The Relationship Between Ethnic Language And Ethnic Identity

As the breadth, frequency, and depth of intercultural communication grows in the background of globalization, in the interactive multicultural surroundings, how to preserve and develop native ethnic language, protect and construct ethnic identity, are essential matters related to the future survival and development of an ethnic group. Among previous researches, ethnic language and ethnic identity are analyzed separately, few researches have been conducted about the nature and pattern of their interactive relationship,especially about that of the ethnic group of Chinese overseas. This research, founded upon linguistics and ethnicity culture researches, creates connections between ethnic language and ethnic identity. It is helpful in broadening theoretical ethnicity researches and it plays certain role in ethnic language protection and development as well as ethnic culture identity and inheritance.This research takes Chinese in America as sample ethnic group, makes detailed qualitative exploration on the inner relationship between ethnic language and ethnic identity to their respective function pattern and features with case study and exemplification as the main methodology. Upon the basis of explaining and defining the ethnic group of Chinese in America, it firstly explains the combination pattern of ethnic language and ethnic identity, and makes analysis on their conditions among Chinese in America. According to the guidance of ethnolinguistic vitality theory proposed by Giles,Bourhis and Taylor, the research then analyzes the effect and function of the three variables, social status, demographic, and institutional support, in the relationship between ethnic language and ethnic identity. Based on statement of non-absolute individual level applicability, this research analyzes the influence of ethnic identity toward ethnic language on its macro position, development and its concrete content, and then the macro effect pattern of ethnic language influence, control, even change ethnic identity in details.This research finds that ethnic language and ethnic identity is mutually influential yet non-absolute determinant, which causes the non-equivalent combination type distribution.On the basis of non individual level applicability, ethnic identity positively effects on ethnic language on its inheritance, using, content feature changes, position and influence of spoken and written language. Ethnic language has macro effect on the formation,development and change of ethnic identity by information media, educational institutions,family surroundings and community surroundings.