Stylizing Asian

Abstract

The paper examines the linguistic and cultural features Nigel Ng, a Malaysian comedian, utilized in his performance as Uncle Roger, a Cantonese English speaker, and the ensuing repercussions. The data analysis shows that a) Ng does not use all the features of Hongkong English, and his use of the features is inconsistent; b) Ng’s stylized English incorporates stereotypical linguistic features associated with several discrete ethnic varieties in the pan-Asian area; c) Ng's performance of Uncle Roger is a conscious media strategy to connect with a more diasporic audience. This paper therefore argues that Ng's performance is a racial stylization of pan-Asian. On the one hand, it challenges White hegemony by constructing a proud Asian identity and criticizing the misrepresentation of Asian cultures. On the other hand, it also reproduces stigmatized stereotypes by foregrounding out-group stereotypes of pan-Asians. The racial stylization discussed in this paper illustrates the double-edged nature of stylization.