Cultural inheritance, identity reconstruction and social integration: A transgenerational narrative study of Chinese families in Malaysia

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic process of cultural inheritance, identity reconstruction and social integration experienced by Chinese families in Malaysia during the process of transgenerational migration. Through in-depth interviews with 15 Chinese families in Malaysia spanning three generations, this paper analyzes the inheritance and changes of Chinese culture in these families in a multicultural context, as well as the differences between different generations in cultural identity, language use and identity construction. The study found that over time, the cultural identity of Chinese in Malaysia gradually shifted from a strong Chinese cultural identity to a more diversified identity, showing the complexity of cultural integration and identity reconstruction. This study not only enriches our understanding of the Chinese community in Malaysia, but also provides a new perspective for the broader study of transgenerational migration.