Language attitudes and fluid identities: Perceptions from Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-border students

Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-border students (CBS) represent a distinctive Hong Kong student community residing in Shenzhen, a city within Mainland China. Their lifestyle bridging these two cities has wielded significant influence over their language attitudes and identities. This research adopts a quantitative approach, conducting a questionnaire survey among 505 CBS individuals to explore their attitudes towards Putonghua, English, Cantonese, and their hometown dialect, as well as their identities. Findings reveal that Putonghua receives the highest ratings in both integrative and instrumental dimensions, the hometown dialect receives the lowest instrumental rating while English scores lowest from the integrative perspective. Notably, CBS demonstrates a stronger Chinese national identity compared to native Hong Kong residents. Their regional identity is characterised by a prevalent ‘dual identity’ embracing both Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Merely about one-fourth of the students identify with their social role as ‘CBS’. Statistical analysis emphasises the tangible impact of CBS’ language attitudes on their identities. The frequent and intimate social interactions between CBS and Mainland China emerge as a pivotal factor contributing to their notably more favourable attitude towards Putonghua and heightened national identity, distinguishing them from native Hong Kong residents. Copyright © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.