Explaining language priming effects: Further evidence for ethnic affirmation among Chinese-English bilinguals

The present study examined participants' responses to scales measuring cultural identifications and self-esteem among both Hong Kong Chinese and Mainland Chinese bilinguals. When the authors activated their ethnolinguistic identity and manipulated the language of assessment, Chinese-English bilinguals were found to identify more with Chinese culture but less with Western culture, and to report lower self-esteem when responding in English than in Chinese. These results were interpreted as arising from activation of the participants' ethnolinguistic identity and their becoming aware of their own ethnic vitality and cultural norms, leading to ethnic affirmation (contrast effect) rather than cultural accommodation (assimilation effect).