Critical Discourse Analysis on Chinese Racial Pride Underlying the Malaysian National Identity in "Proud to be born a Chinese"

Oct 15, 2026

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The ideology of Chinese racial pride in an online essay, “Proud to be born a Chinese,” by Dr. Chan-Lui Lee is described and analysed using the sociocognitive approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA). The study argues the rhetoric persuades Chinese Malaysians to prioritize Chinese racial identity over Malaysian national identity, contributing to national disunity and racial fissures. Analysis focuses on discursive, cognitive, and social components and links the essay’s strategies to Malaysia’s socio-political conditions and emerging neo-nationalist identities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

1. Introduction

1.1 Importance of “Proud to be born a Chinese” on Identity

Advances in Language and Literary Studies ISSN: 2203-4714 Vol. 7 No. 5; October 2016 Australian International Academic Centre, Australia | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | Flourishing Creativity & Literacy | | | | | | Critical Discourse Analysis on Chinese Racial Pride Underlying the Malaysian National Identity in“Proud to be born a Chinese” Khoo Wei Cyn (Corresponding author) School of Education, Languages and Communications, Wawasan Open University, 54, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 Penang, Malaysia [E-mail: kwc3_PG@student.wou.edu.my](E-mail: kwc3_PG@student.wou.edu.my) Malini Ganapathy School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Gelugor, 11800 Penang, Malaysia [E-mail: malinik@usm.my](E-mail: malinik@usm.my) Doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.5p.162 URL: [http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.5p.162](http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.5p.162) Received: 28/06/2016 Accepted: 24/08/2016 Abstract The ideology of Chinese racial pride in an online essay “Proud to be born a Chinese” by Dr. Chan-Lui Lee is described and analysed by using the sociocognitive approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA) . The research design is based on the notion that Chinese racial pride is a tool to persuade Chinese Malaysians to prioritise their Chinese racial identity over the Malaysian national identity, leading to national disunity and racial fissures in society. This notion runs parallel to the concept ofthe dynamicity and fluidity of the construction of identity, as explored by Jones, McEwen and Abes in their Reconceptualised Model of Multiple Identities (2007) . As the degree to which Malaysians identify with the national identity over other group identities determines the success of national unity (Liu et al, 2002), Dr. Chan-Lui Lee’s essay provides insight into the overall success of national unity in Malaysia. “Proud to be born a Chinese” is analysed through three components: the discursive, cognitive and social components, which not only confirm that the essay prioritises Chinese racial identity over Malaysian national identity using Chinese racial pride, but also that the essay and its strategies are a response to the socio-political circumstances in Malaysia and the creation of neonationalist identities in the relatively new nations of Southeast Asia. Keywords: critical discourse analysis, sociocognition, racial pride, racial identity, national identity, national unity, multiple identities, southeast asia, neo-nationalism, socio-politics 1. Introduction 1.1 Importance of “Proud to be born a Chinese” on Identity In 2013, an online essay became the staple of discussions throughout social media and websites in Malaysia. Titled“Proud to be born a Chinese,” it was attributed to Dr. Chan-Lui Lee, a former Malaysian who now lives in Melbourne. This essay struck a chord with Malaysians, posted in ten different media and shared across Malaysia for thousands of times. A rewritten version of it was published in Malaysiakini (Rajaratnam, 2015), and entertainment website World of Buzz (2015) called the meme “inspiring”. Whilst it is evident that the essay is written about Chinese racial pride, this ideology has significant social effects in Malaysia, a country that prides itself on multiculturalism. Due to the dynamic nature of identity, it is a troubling concern if a group identity such as race is prioritised over the national identity as it can destabilise racial relations in Malaysia and affect the success of national unity. Using the perspective of critical discourse analysis (CDA), this report investigates how the essay “Proud to be born a Chinese” prioritises racial identity above national identity with the use of Chinese racial pride as its ideology. Central to the research process was the identification and examination of discursive, cognitive and social components that comprised the essay. Whilst the discursive components communicated the

FAQs

What is the main focus of the critical discourse analysis?

The analysis examines how “Proud to be born a Chinese” uses Chinese racial pride to prioritize racial identity over Malaysian national identity.

What does the research claim about the effect of Chinese racial pride?

It claims the ideology persuades Chinese Malaysians to elevate racial identity above national identity, leading to national disunity and racial divisions.

How does the study structure its analysis of the essay?

It analyzes three components—discursive, cognitive, and social—then connects them to socio-political circumstances and the creation of neo-nationalist identities.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Terk