"Hyphenated Journeys: Identity Negotiations of Multiethnic Vietnamese A" by Rheyna Leilahn Biu

Date Approved

1-30-2025

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Communications (M.S.)

Degree Program

School of Communications

First Advisor

Anthony Spencer

Second Advisor

Richard Besel

Third Advisor

Haiying Kong

Academic Year

2024/2025

Abstract

This study explores how Vietnamese Americans with mixed heritage navigate their identity. Through interviews and autoethnography, it examines how multiracial/multiethnic Vietnamese Americans maintain their Vietnamese identity while constructing their multiracial/multiethnic identity. The findings underscore the importance of several factors of identity maintenance, including seeking cultural security outside the home, language as a key to culture, and the importance of connection through cultural sharing in shaping and expressing multiracial/multiethnic identity. It uses Homi Bhaba's theory of hybridity to understand how these individuals view their hyphenated identities. The research highlights the role of verbal and nonverbal communication in this process. The researcher conducted ten in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of participants whose ages span generations.

The research addresses gaps in the existing knowledge on mixed heritage identity negotiation, with implications for intercultural communication. This study aimed to uncover how people understood their complex identities and find strategies for others to do the same— providing a nuanced understanding that can inform broader discussions on diversity. The project will also help us understand how people of multiple heritages strategically utilize communication to connect with and maintain ties to their cultural groups. The ultimate hope is that the findings will contribute to academic discourse and practical applications in fostering inclusive environments and promoting intercultural understanding.

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