Multilingualism and identity construction: A case study of a Uyghur female youth

Abstract

Drawing on a poststructuralist perspective on identity and elite multilingualism, I traced one Uyghur female's multilingual learning experiences in this case study. Using semistructured interviews as the primary data source, I illustrate that by drawing upon multiple affordances, my Uyghur participant was able to expand her repertoire of linguistic resources and hence effect more powerful social memberships, negotiate her elite Uyghur identity, and achieve upward social mobility for herself. This study contributes to our understanding of ethnic minorities' identity construction and language learning in and through intranational migration.