Date of Award

Spring 2014

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Major

International Studies: Latin American & Asian Studies, LACS: Hispanic & Chinese Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Anne Lambright

Abstract

Chinese immigration to Argentina is the fourth largest in the nation, after Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru, yet the Chinese are the largest group of non-Spanish speaking immigrants in the country. In my thesis I explore the significance of such high rates of Chinese immigration to Argentina to further understand concepts of transculturation. I want to know why these immigrants came to Argentina, how they created enclaves, and how they interact and contribute to Argentine society. With China’s recent economic influence in Argentina, there is also a growing interest among Argentines to learn Mandarin and Chinese culture for business practices, so I will also briefly explain this new relationship. Utilizing interviews I conducted while in Buenos Aires, various films, magazines, books, and theories, I particularly analyze the younger Chinese immigrants and first generation Chinese-Argentinians. This group is significant because they are typically more assimilated to the culture and identify as both Argentinean and Chinese, or argenchino. I ultimately want to understand what it means to be an argenchino, and how individuals can identify with two very distinct ethnicities and cultures. This is significant because as a globalizing world, these new concepts of identity are emerging in many different countries, and they speak to the importance of preserving ones culture, while adopting or assimilating to another.

Comments

Senior Thesis completed at Trinity College for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.

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