Constructing ethnic identity through discourse

In this paper, I demonstrate how Korean American camp counselors locally construct ethnic identity through the practice of self-categorization in discourse. Self-categorization, or identification oneself terms identity, serves to position ethnicity and associate that with one’s personal goals participating camp. Using videotaped data counselors’ meetings, show while debating their views on what a should be motivations for camp, make relevant identities by describing themselves as more ‘American’, ‘Korean American’, ‘Korean’. addition, discuss whether teaching heritage mentorship campers primary objective This opposition between ‘heritage’ ‘mentorship’ is cast source tensions map onto ideologies whereby American’ acquires local meaning being linked importance over heritage. way, means classifying relationally within field oppositions, at same time indexing particular stance about be.