Cultural Identity of Chinese

Cultural identity refers to identity or a feeling that an individual belongs to a particular

cultural group (Hall, 2014). Its is forms a part of a person’s self-perception and self-conception

related to association with a particular social group or a community. Therefore, cultural identity

incorporates both individual and group characteristics of members who share the same cultural

background and values (Hall, 2014). The cultural identity is ground on the communication

theory of identity, which establishes the frames of identity, which are personal, relationship,

communal, and enactment of the communication frame.

This section will examine how the Chinese culture is expressed by people at individual

and group levels. First, Chinese identity is expressed in their communication patterns. Chinese

uses both verbal and non-communications when interacting with other people. The commonly

spoken language by Chinese is Mandarin, also known as “Han” language. When a Chinese meet

a fellow Chinese, they will often speak in their language. Chinese also use non-verbal language

to communicate. However, their body language differs from what is expected in many of the

western cultures (Yang, 2014). For instance, it is normal for people in many western countries to

smile in public or even to a stranger; however, Chinese will rarely smile in public or to a stranger

(Yang, 2014). Further, it is often for people to warmly embrace each other in public, especially if

they have not met for long or they are friends (Yang, 2014). In Chinese culture, embracing is

each other is meant for lovers or close family members.

The second cultural identity of the Chinese is strict adherence to their core values, which

are righteousness, courtesy, respect, loyalty, and honesty. Chinese wherever they go, they are

supposed to be and do the correct thing at all times. They are also expected to show courtesy and
respect at all times. For instance, when a Chinese is a greeting, an older person or a senior person

is expected to bow as a sign of respect (Wong, 2011). Chinese are very loyal to their country and

also to their employers in the workplace, which is grounded in their core values. The third

cultural identity of the Chinese people is their architecture. It is mainly composed of using timber

instead of stones, and they have a high preference for ceramic tiles in their roofing. Chinese also

have a high preference for molded products (Steinhardt, 2014). The architecture shows the

simple nature of Chinese wherever they are in the world. Fourthly, the Chinese have a high

preference for art, and this is exhibited by their love for drawing. The Chinese also love martial

arts, which is exhibited in Kung fu (Wong, 2011). Chinese are also lovers of pastimes is this is

mainly demonstrated by their calligraphy, celebration of different feasts, and also acting their

cultures in their movies (Zhou, Zhang & Edelheim, 2013).