Conversational identity construction in mother-daughter interaction: a case study of a Chinese single-parent family

: English

Abstract

This study investigates the discursive construction of identity within the under-explored context of the Chinese single-parent family. While existing literature on family discourse is extensive, few studies have examined the micro-interactional strategies used by single mothers to navigate the double burden of being both the sole provider and the primary nurturer.

Adopting a rigorous qualitative approach, the study analyzed a dataset of 198 interactional sequences derived from 10 hours of naturalistic audio recordings, triangulated with ethnographic interviews. By integrating Interactional Sociolinguistics with the Pragmatics of Communicative Needs, the research scrutinized how mother and daughter co-construct their roles through specific linguistic forms, discourse content, and topic management styles.

The findings reveal that the single mother does not inhabit a static parental role but actively deploys a dynamic identity repertoire. My study identifies a strategic shift between authoritative identities (e.g., teacher, gatekeeper), used to satisfy instrumental needs such as socialization and academic supervision, and friendly identities (e.g., peer, learner), utilized to satisfy relational needs and mitigate face threats. More importantly, this research demonstrates that identity fluidity is not a sign of role confusion, but a purpose-driven resource employed to balance the tension between parental control and emotional intimacy.

Last but not least, this thesis argues against the deficit model of single parenting. Instead, it frames the mother’s discursive flexibility as a form of interactional resilience, offering new insights into how contemporary Chinese families negotiate authority, solidarity, and cultural expectations through the micro-politics of everyday talk.

Date of Award	15 Apr 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Nottingham
Supervisor	Geoff Hall (Supervisor)