Methodology
Data Collection
For language choice and patterns, we make use of domain analysis, which according to Fishman (1972), concerns with the establishment of general pattern of language use. The use of domain is to help developing regularities. Usually we have some common domains like family, friends, employment and education. The four domains mentioned are going to be the domains applied in this project as well.
In terms of the focus of Chiu Chow identity acceptance, we are going to figure out the factors which motivates our interviewees in accepting or denying their Chiu Chow identity. In terms of the focus of participation in Chiu Chow activities, we are going to conclude some opinions regarding the competence of Chiuchownese and frequency of participation. Linking with phenomenon concluded in the previous section (participation focus), we are going to compare individual perspectives and organizational perspectives in terms of the sustainability of Chiuchownese and Chiu Chow cultures.
We mainly use interviews throughout the whole project. For the focus of Chiu Chow identity acceptance, we hold three in-depth interviews, with one interviewee (Lee) from parental generation and two from younger generation (Pauline and Judith). Lee’s and Pauline’s interviews are audio-recorded, while Judith’s interview is video recorded. For the focus of participation in Chiu Chow activities, apart from retrieving some relevant data from the 3 in-depth interviews as mentioned in the identity focus, we also do 10 short street interviews to obtain comparatively general opinions. In the street interviews, we mainly focus on asking questions related to Chiuchownese competence and frequency of participation in Chiu Chow activities and the corresponding reasons for participating or not participating. For the focus of sustainability of Chiuchownese and Chiu Chow cultures, we compare through individual and organizational perspectives. For individual perspective, we retrieve data from previous interviews. For organizational perspective, we interview two representatives from two Chiu Chow organizations.
To prepare for the interviews, we prepare sets of open questions. For the approach of the interviews, we simply let our interviewees talk (Tagliamonte, 2006). We allow flexible discussions with follow-up questions asked based on the answers provided by our interviewees. The main idea for such an approach is because we would like to get spontaneous data and avoid observer paradox. According to Labov (1972), observer paradox refers to the phenomenon of observing how people speak when they are not being systematically observed, though we can only gather our data through systematic observation.
Data Analysis