“We’re Not ABC. We’re ABT”: Identity and Language Ideologies of Taiwanese American Youth

Discussions of Taiwanese Americans’ cultural identity and heritage language maintenance are not often brought to the forefront due to being grouped together with other Sinophones. Not addressing cultural and linguistic differences within the Sinophone sphere, however, is a disservice to the unique life experiences of the diverse peoples who fall under this group. Utilizing sociocultural framework of identity, interviews were conducted with 12 Taiwanese American undergraduates regarding negotiating their ethnic identity and engaging in their heritage language, Mandarin. Employing a narrative analysis of the interview data, findings reveal a collective Taiwanese American consciousness and a strong desire to maintain positive relationships with Taiwanese Mandarin speakers, despite perceptions of alienation. However, with Mandarin speakers from China, the participants reported hesitations in outwardly identifying as “Taiwanese” and unwillingness to speak Mandarin due to political conflicts that could lead to disagreements about their ethnic identity. Findings suggest the importance of supporting Taiwanese Americans’ ethnic identity development via opportunities to recognize and develop their Taiwan Mandarin heritage language.